Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
A major diplomatic and aviation crisis unfolded at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi on Monday night, August 31, 2026, as hundreds of Nigerian travellers, including an aide to a former minister, staged a dramatic protest against Kenya Airways.
The passengers, many of whom had been stranded for over 24 hours, accused the airline of gross neglect and abandonment following a series of flight cancellations and delays that left them stuck in Kenya without accommodation or clear information.
The protest, which began around 10 p.m. local time, saw passengers chanting and demanding immediate action. Among the stranded was Bolaji Tunji, an aide to former Minister of Power, Bayo Adelabu, who highlighted the dire situation. “I was coming from the UK, and since I landed this morning here in Nairobi, no Kenya Airways flight had departed from this airport. I am supposed to have arrived in Nigeria at 11 am. In fact, there is a child here who is sick,” Tunji told journalists at the scene.
The disruptions were caused by a strike by air traffic controllers in Kenya, which had entered its second day. The Kenya Aviation Workers’ Union (KAWU) cited grievances over collective bargaining agreements and lack of cooperation from aviation authorities.
While the strike caused widespread chaos, the stranded Nigerians accused Kenya Airways of singling them out for neglect. “It looks like it has been resolved because some aeroplanes are taking off. But Kenya Airways have specifically neglected Nigerians, and that is why people are currently protesting here,” Tunji added.
Passengers reported that they had been told multiple departure times that kept changing, with no definite plan communicated. Some were forced to sleep at the airport due to a lack of hotel accommodation. One passenger revealed that over 120 Nigerians were affected.
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) intervened, with spokesperson Michael Achimugu contacting the Kenya Airways country manager. Achimugu confirmed that the strike was affecting flights across Kenya, not just Nairobi. He also demanded that the airline provide refreshments to the stranded passengers, which were reportedly being served at Gate 23. However, the passengers' demand for a definitive departure timeline remained unmet as of Monday night.
The protesters have called on Nigerian diplomatic authorities in Kenya and aviation authorities in Nigeria to urgently intervene.
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Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
A major diplomatic and aviation crisis unfolded at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi on Monday night, August 31, 2026, as hundreds of Nigerian travellers, including an aide to a former minister, staged a dramatic protest against Kenya Airways.
The passengers, many of whom had been stranded for over 24 hours, accused the airline of gross neglect and abandonment following a series of flight cancellations and delays that left them stuck in Kenya without accommodation or clear information.
The protest, which began around 10 p.m. local time, saw passengers chanting and demanding immediate action. Among the stranded was Bolaji Tunji, an aide to former Minister of Power, Bayo Adelabu, who highlighted the dire situation. “I was coming from the UK, and since I landed this morning here in Nairobi, no Kenya Airways flight had departed from this airport. I am supposed to have arrived in Nigeria at 11 am. In fact, there is a child here who is sick,” Tunji told journalists at the scene.
The disruptions were caused by a strike by air traffic controllers in Kenya, which had entered its second day. The Kenya Aviation Workers’ Union (KAWU) cited grievances over collective bargaining agreements and lack of cooperation from aviation authorities.
While the strike caused widespread chaos, the stranded Nigerians accused Kenya Airways of singling them out for neglect. “It looks like it has been resolved because some aeroplanes are taking off. But Kenya Airways have specifically neglected Nigerians, and that is why people are currently protesting here,” Tunji added.
Passengers reported that they had been told multiple departure times that kept changing, with no definite plan communicated. Some were forced to sleep at the airport due to a lack of hotel accommodation. One passenger revealed that over 120 Nigerians were affected.
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) intervened, with spokesperson Michael Achimugu contacting the Kenya Airways country manager. Achimugu confirmed that the strike was affecting flights across Kenya, not just Nairobi. He also demanded that the airline provide refreshments to the stranded passengers, which were reportedly being served at Gate 23. However, the passengers' demand for a definitive departure timeline remained unmet as of Monday night.
The protesters have called on Nigerian diplomatic authorities in Kenya and aviation authorities in Nigeria to urgently intervene.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters News | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
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