Transport Cabinet Secretary James Macharia has broken his silence over the ongoing workers strike at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA). 

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Speaking live from JKIA, Macharia said that his ministry was working with the airport management to ensure that normal operation resumes in an hour.

"I can assure you that within the hour we shall have the first airplane flying out," he said.

According to the CS, his ministry had agreed with Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) not to strike but the members defied the ordered. 

The CS also said that the plans to allow KQ takeover the management of the airport were being discussed by different stakeholders and therefore no reason for alarm.

“KAWU had also issued a strike notice a few weeks ago and I met with them, discussed and agreed they will lift the strike which they did because we gave them assurances. What they fear is this proposed KAA-KQ merger will result in job losses,” he said.

In the meantime, the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) has announced the diversion of Nairobi flights that were scheduled to land at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) to Mombasa after workers downed their tools.

 In a statement posted on its official Twitter account, KAA said that the move was reached after Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) defied a court directive and failed to report to work. 

The authority has since advised travelers from different parts of the world to contact their respective airlines with immediate effect to avoid any form of inconvenience. 

“We advise all passengers using JKIA to get in touch with their respective airlines to confirm their travel arrangements,” the Kenya Airports Authority said in a statement.

 Police and General Service Unit (GSU) officers have been deployed to the JKIA following the strike.