The Employment and Labour Relations Court in Kisumu has dismissed a claim by 29 Bird Scouts employed by the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) who sought over Ksh66 million in backdated salaries and allowances.

• Justice Dr Jacob Gakeri ruled that KAA had lawfully implemented its job grading structure and salary adjustments.
• The Bird Scouts were promoted from Job Group S3 to S4 in May 2024 and argued their pay should be backdated, similar to Firefighters and Security Wardens.
• KAA successfully argued that the Bird Scouts' roles, requiring a basic O-level certificate, are not comparable to the high-risk, specialized duties of Firefighters and Security Wardens.

Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) has issued a fresh strike notice, threatening a nationwide shutdown of aviation operations in Kenya after court-ordered mediation talks collapsed. The union cites unresolved demands including an 11-year overdue pay rise.

• KAWU has given the government and the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) seven days to resolve the dispute.
• Secretary-General Moses Ndiema stated workers have gone for more than 11 years without a salary review.
• A strike would disrupt flights at all Kenyan airports, including Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, impacting tourism and trade.

A major crisis looms at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) and other Kenyan airports as the Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) has issued a seven-day strike notice. The industrial action threat follows collapsed talks with the government and the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) over long-standing grievances including salary increments and unionisation.

• KAWU accused KCAA of unfair labour practices, with some employees reportedly going for over 11 years without a pay review.
• Secretary General Moses Ndiema warned of a complete shutdown of Kenya's airspace, threatening to "ground everything and shut down all Kenyan airports" if demands are not met within the ultimatum.
• The strike would severely disrupt domestic and international flights, impacting JKIA, Kenya's busiest airport, which handles approximately 8.6 million passengers annually.
• The last aviation workers' strike in September 2025 paralysed services for approximately two days before government intervention.