The Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) secretary general Moses Ndiema has denied social media claims that he was funded in order to ensure last week’s JKIA strike was successful.
Social media has been awash with claims that Ndiema met Farouk Kibet at Ole Sereni Hotel on the evening of March 5 and received some money to facilitate the strike.
Farouk Kibet is DP Wiliam Rutos personal assistant.
On 6th of March during the strike, GSU officers dispersed the striking workers and arrested Moses Ndiema with his other colleagues.
A JKIA court had declared the strike illegal.
Ndiema was forced to spend at least a week in remand.
He denied the claims and said “It’s simply NOT true. Talk of Ole-Sereni, I have never been there for over a year” he said.
When reached for comment, Farouk Kibet did not answer calls nor respond to text messages.
On 11TH March, the Aviation workers called off the strike.
This is after entering a plea bargain with the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) that saw the arrested members released in exchange for calling off the strike.
The DPP withdrew criminal charges against Moses Ndiema, and 10 others.
The striking workers will be expected to adhere to the orders issued by the employment and labor relations court on March 5, 2019, that requires them to refrain from industrial action.
According to the agreement KAWU and its members are required to cooperate with its employers to ensure normalization of operations at JKIA.
They striking workers were opposed to the proposed takeover of JKIA by KQ among other grievances.
Despite Transport CS James Macharia threatening to sack the striking workers, part of the agreement is said to be against victimization of KAWU members.
“There shall be no victimization of union officials, KAWU, and all employees in any manner whatsoever by the Kenya Airports Authority, Kenya Airways PLC, Trade winds Aviation Services, and any other employer at JKIA affected by the industrial action,” reads the agreement.