Stranded and frustrated: Passengers bear brunt as strike paralyses JKIA

Passengers at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) have narrated their frustration as a crippling strike by KCAA staff entered its second day, leaving flights delayed, cancelled, and travellers stranded.

The strike, involving both air traffic controllers and ground safety personnel, has forced authorities to limit departures and prioritise only incoming flights.

The strike has left terminals crowded with stranded travellers, many unsure where to turn for guidance.

One passenger, caught in the unfolding chaos, recounted their 24-hour frustration that saw travel plans shattered and personal expenses mounting.

The passenger, who wished to remain anonymous, had intended to reach their destination on Monday.

Arriving early in the morning for an afternoon flight, hopes were high for a smooth journey, but the day quickly devolved into a nightmare.

“We stayed on the plane until 10 pm, then were told to disembark. No one explained what would happen next,” she said.

Another passenger, John, an Australian arriving from Kisumu, shared a similar ordeal.

“I boarded at 4:45 pm and sat for four and a half hours before being asked to leave. With no friends or money in Nairobi, I spent the night outside, unable to sleep,” he said, noting that work-hour restrictions compounded delays.

Travellers with mobility challenges faced even harsher conditions.

One wheelchair user explained how support was scarce, and they had to find accommodation on their own, still unsure when they could fly.

Across the terminal, overcrowding, heat, and exhaustion created a tense atmosphere.

Families worried back home, while passengers scrambled to cover unexpected costs for food, transport, and lodging.

“Everyone just wants to get home safely,” said one weary traveller, reflecting the frustration and uncertainty gripping JKIA.

"We were told the airline was innocent because of the strike, and the problem was with those striking, perhaps KCA Aviation or other authorities," the passenger explained, highlighting the feeling of helplessness.

"But we, the passengers, are also innocent. Our only objective is to reach our destination."

With no support forthcoming, passengers were left to their own devices.

They were forced to incur personal expenses for accommodation and alternative transport, navigating an unfamiliar city to find a place to stay.

Many hotels were fully booked, adding to the stress.

The ordeal continued into the next morning, with the passenger returning to the airport early, only to find the situation largely unchanged.

They claimed that communication remained scarce, and the movement of flights was painfully slow.

"We are still expecting to hear from them," the passenger stated.

The strike has not only disrupted travel but has also imposed significant financial and emotional burdens on innocent travellers.

One passenger, who had already endured a 24-hour ordeal of delayed flights and unfulfilled promises, highlighted the collective suffering.

"Through sharing with others, others have come from various places," the passenger explained.

She detailed how many arrived expecting to connect, only to find themselves in the same predicament.

The situation has deteriorated to the point where many passengers, unable to secure accommodation, have resorted to sleeping on the airport's cold floors.

They face dire conditions, lacking access to basic amenities like baths, leaving them dirty, tired and utterly exhausted.

Individuals have been forced to bear the financial burden of unexpected expenses for food, transport, and accommodation.

Reports indicate that a meeting between the union and the authority on Tuesday morning failed to bear fruit.