The government has reiterated its commitment to the Adani Group partnership just hours after aviation workers called off their strike, which had left operations at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) at a standstill.

In a statement issued on Wednesday evening, the government emphasized the urgent need for airport expansion due to increasing passenger and cargo traffic. “JKIA requires urgent expansion… with current numbers exceeding its design capacity,” the statement affirmed, highlighting that the airport serves approximately 8.6 million travelers annually, surpassing its 7.9 million capacity.

Government spokesperson Isaac Mwaura sought to address public concerns, explaining that the Adani deal is still in its early stages. “The partnership is necessary for sustainable growth,” Mwaura said, stressing that estimated expansion costs of over KSh 260 billion could not be financed solely by the government, especially after the controversial Finance Bill was rejected.

Worker protests erupted earlier in the day, prompted by dissatisfaction with the government’s handling of the Adani deal. Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General Francis Atwoli, alongside Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir, intervened to issue a set of demands to the government after the strike’s resolution.

Atwoli insisted that no agreement between the Kenya Airports Authority and the government should proceed without input from the Kenya Aviation Workers Union, demanding at least ten days to review the deal’s details.