The Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) is on the spotlight due to allegations of mistreatment of contracted workers, particularly those at the Ukunda/Diani Airstrip.
Workers who have been hired to clean and assist passengers at the airstrip have raised concerns over their working conditions, claiming that they have gone months without receiving their salaries.
Some workers have even been forced to beg passengers for money because of the financial strain caused by these unpaid wages. The situation has been brought to light by Cyprian Nyakundi, who exposed this issue on his official X page.
He highlighted how workers have been subjected to harsh conditions, with no intervention from KAA, the agency responsible for overseeing the operations at the airstrip.
The workers have reported that whenever they raise complaints or try to protest the situation, they are quickly dismissed. In many cases, KAA officials have reportedly sided with the contractors, allowing the exploitative practices to continue unchecked.
The contractor in question is said to continue receiving full payments from KAA, which amount to over Ksh 300,000 per month.
Despite this, the workers claim that they have not been paid for months, and the contractor has not provided necessary supplies or even basic tools for their work.
This has created an untenable situation for the workers, many of whom are struggling to make ends meet. This troubling situation raises serious questions about the role of KAA in ensuring that contractors follow the rules and treat their workers fairly.
The failure to address these issues and hold contractors accountable has led to a growing sense of frustration among the workers, who are now questioning why their concerns are being ignored.
With the situation escalating, it is clear that KAA’s lack of oversight is allowing these exploitative practices to continue, which could lead to further unrest if not addressed promptly. The workers at Ukunda Airstrip are not the only ones facing this kind of mistreatment, as similar reports have surfaced at other airports managed by KAA.
However, the case at Ukunda has brought the issue into the spotlight, especially with the exposure on social media. If KAA continues to ignore these complaints, it could face further criticism, not only from workers but also from the public, who are becoming increasingly aware of the issue.
The case at Ukunda Airstrip is a glaring example of the rot within KAA’s contractor management system. With Cyprian Nyakundi’s help in exposing these injustices, it is hoped that there will be more inquiry and, ultimately, a change in how KAA handles contracted workers.
The workers deserve fair treatment, timely payments, and a safe working environment, and it is high time that KAA takes responsibility for ensuring these basic rights are upheld.
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