KAWU suspends aviation strike after 30-day deal with Chirchir ministry
Key points
- KAWU suspended the 20 July 2026 strike notice after a 27 July deal chaired by Transport CS Davis Chirchir.
- PS Teresia Mbaika: parties gave themselves at most 30 days to clear outstanding grievances.
- Talks calendar: KQ/Jambojet 28 July; KAA 29 July; KCAA CBA and HR instruments 30 July.
- No victimisation clause; KQ and Jambojet to withdraw two ELRC cases to free dialogue space.
"I confirm that our strike action through a strike notice issued on July 20 stands suspended," KAWU Secretary General Moss Ndiema told stakeholders after government and aviation agencies locked a negotiation roadmap — the line that kept Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and other public airports on normal schedules for travellers.
The pact was sealed on 27 July 2026 in talks chaired by Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir, with Aviation and Aerospace Development Principal Secretary Teresia Mbaika present. KAA, KCAA, Kenya Airways and Jambojet tabled measures on employment terms, dismissals, collective bargaining, human-resource instruments and the contested idea of putting National Youth Service personnel into aviation roles while permanent vacancies sat empty.
Thirty days on a shared clock
Mbaika said the union agreed to park the notice while every disputed organisation took a date. KQ and Jambojet issues were set for 28 July, save a Jambojet recognition fight still in the Employment and Labour Relations Court. KAA grievances were booked for 29 July; KCAA's delayed CBA talks were to start immediately, with HR instruments on 30 July.
The text also bans victimisation of workers or employers over the notice. As a confidence step, KQ and Jambojet will withdraw two ELRC files so dialogue can run without parallel courtroom heat. Ndiema was clear the suspension is not a settlement — only a framework — starting with Jambojet terminations and KQ files.
COTU's permanent-terms red line
Central Organisation of Trade Unions Secretary General Francis Atwoli backed recruiting NYS graduates but insisted permanent continuous duties must stay on permanent terms with competitive hire, fair pay and legal protection. COTU warned public bodies against swapping secure jobs for cheap labour.
Transport desk: Energy & Transport. Travellers should treat the next 30 days as a quiet period, not a closed file — a missed deadline can put the notice back on the board.
Airlines and KAA should publish weekly progress notes so cargo and passenger markets are not trading on rumour alone while the clock runs.
Based on Eastleigh Voice reporting of the KAWU–government aviation deal. Signed minutes and court files control formal status.
