Operations at Kisumu International Airport were brought to a standstill on Tuesday as the aviation workers’ strike entered its second day, halting flights between Kisumu and Nairobi.
No aircraft from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) landed in Kisumu, worsening the travel disruption that began on Monday when aviation union members walked off the job over unresolved labour disputes. The union cited demands for better pay, improved working conditions, and the implementation of a long-pending collective bargaining agreement as the main reasons for the strike.
The normally bustling airport was unusually quiet, with only a few private and unscheduled flights from Wilson Airport managing to land. Passenger traffic dropped sharply as travelers sought alternative means of transport.
Taxi driver John Arodi, who has operated at the airport for more than ten years, said the strike had taken a heavy toll on both passengers and local businesses.
“On Monday, passengers waited here for hours hoping flights would resume. Some had important meetings and medical appointments in Nairobi,” he said.
The disruption also affected several politicians from the Western Kenya region who were scheduled to travel to the capital for official duties.
Stranded passengers voiced frustration over poor communication from airlines and airport authorities. One traveler said many people were left in limbo, unsure when normal operations would resume, and described the situation as both stressful and costly.
Union leaders have vowed to continue the industrial action until their grievances are addressed, while the Kenya Airports Authority has called for urgent dialogue to end the standoff. As the strike drags on, travelers remain stranded and businesses around the airport continue to suffer losses.
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