Rwanda: Flights bound for Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) has been cancelled by the RwandAir, due to a strike at the Kenyan Airport. The announcement was made on September 11, 2024.
Reportedly, it was informed by the national carrier through a post on its official X handle, where they captioned on RwandAir, “Due to the ongoing strike by airport staff at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, the flights WB452/WB453 KGL/NBO/KGL on September 11, 2024 are cancelled. All affected passengers will be rebooked on the next available flights. We apologize for any inconvenience caused.”
According to the media reports, it is indicated that the travellers are stranded at the airport after the staff at the important transport hub began protesting over a controversial decision by the government to lease the airport to an Indian company named ‘Adani Enterprises’.
On Tuesday, September 17, 2024, High Court of Kenya, temporarily suspended the proposed plans to lease JKIA to Indian conglomerate Adani Enterprises.
The Kenyan Human Rights Commission (KHRC) and the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) challenged the push to take over the running of JKIA by the Indian company for a period of 30 years.
As per the sources, the two organisations argued that JKIA is a strategic and profitable national asset. The deal is that irrational and violates of the principles of good governance, accountability, transparency, prudent and responsible use of public money.
Considering the deal, the Indian firm will be upgrading the airport, that will include construction of second runway and a new passenger terminal under a 30-year build operate transfer (BOT) contract.
KHRC and LSK argued that Kenya can independently raise the estimated $1.85 billion or Ksh 238 billion that is needed to expand JKIA without leasing the airport for the stated period.
Lawyer Dudley Ochiel said in the application that the Adani proposal is unaffordable. It threatens job losses and exposes the public. It disproportionate to fiscal risk and offers no value for money to the taxpayer.
Notably, Judge of the High Court – John Chigiti certified the case as urgent and granted temporary order by suspending the deal, which is still pending and determine the case. The judge directed the case, which needs to be mentioned on October 08, 2024 to get a judgement date.