Passengers stranded at main Kenya airport as workers protest

By Jewel Kariungi, NAIROBI Kenya

Hundreds of passengers have been stranded at Kenya's main airport as workers protest against a planned takeover by an Indian company.

Large queues formed outside Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) on Wednesday morning as flights were delayed and cancelled.

Workers launched a "go-slow" - where staff deliberately work slowly to cause disruption - in a stand against proposals to lease JKIA to the Adani group for 30 years.

The aviation workers union argues the deal is "opaque" and could lead to job losses.

However, the government has defended the proposal, saying the airport is operating beyond capacity and needs private investment to upgrade it.

On Wednesday morning, dozens of airport workers blew plastic trumpets and chanted "Adani must go", according to footage shown on local broadcaster Citizen TV.

The video also appear to show a police officer hitting a protester with a baton.

"As of 7:00am, minimal operations had resumed," the Kenya Airports Authority said in a statement.

"In the meantime, we are engaging relevant parties to normalise operations. We apologise for any inconvenience caused and appreciate your patience and understanding during this time."

The Kenya Aviation Workers' Union previously warned of an indefinite strike after the government failed to disclose details of the deal with the Adani Group.

The Law Society of Kenya and the Kenya Human Rights Commission also criticised the plans, arguing that it is unreasonable to lease a strategic national asset to a private company.

The two parties filed a challenge to the High Court, which subsequently halted the deal to allow time for a judicial review.

The date for a final court decision has yet to be set.