Strike cost Kenya Airways Sh600m

Last week’s two-day strike cost Kenya Airways a massive Sh600 million in lost revenue.

The strike paralysed local and international flights, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded at airports in Nairobi, Kisumu and Mombasa.

Transport minister Chirau Ali Mwakwere said in a ministerial statement sought by Garsen MP Danson Mungatana (Narc-K) that the airline management had taken steps to avert future stand-offs.

On the spot

Mr Mwakwere was put on the spot over late intervention by the government, which came after a deal was reached.

The Aviation and Allied Workers Union opted to go on strike after KQ management refused to meet its demands for a 130 per cent salary raise.

The union has 3,645 members, among them cabin crew, loaders, security, ground support and customer care staff.

“When a union of such magnitude issues a strike notice, the government ought to take note,” Mr Mungatana said.

He accused the ministry of “sleeping on the job.”

Mr Mwakwere refused to take any blame, saying KQ was a private company and there was little the government could have done to avert the strike.

“The ministry does not involve itself in industrial actions of private companies,” he said.

He, however, said the workers had made “outrageous demands” by seeking such huge increases.

High-handedness

Gwassi MP John Mbadi (ODM) and Mr Clement Wambugu (Mathioya, PNU) took a swipe at KQ boss Titus Naikuni, accusing him of “high-handedness.”

“What’s the government doing about a complacent management and a chief executive who seems to have outlived his usefulness?” Mr Mbadi asked.

The strike was called off after the Central Organisation of Trade Unions and the Federation of Kenya Employers intervened and the parties reached an agreement for a 20 per cent raise.

Reports by Caroline Wafula, Alphonce Shiundu and Njeri Rugene