Thousands of Travelers Stranded at JKIA as Flights Grounded over Workers' Strike [PHOTOS]

Operations at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) were on Wednesday morning completely paralyzed after aviation workers under the Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) boycotted duty.

The workers downed their tools from midnight in protest of the proposed takeover of JKIA operations by the loss-making national airline Kenya Airways.

“Further to the strike by KAWU members, we expect disruptions on flights. Customers on flights after 11 am are advised not to come to the airport until further communication is shared. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience caused,” Kenya Airways said in a statement on Wednesday morning.

Thousands of passengers were left stranded at the Nairobi airport after flights were canceled.

Anti-riot police officers were forced to lob teargas canisters at the striking workers to disperse them

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Some travelers were caught in the melee that left six KQ staff members seriously injured.

The workers issued a strike notice on February 27th in protest of the handover of management of the airport to Kenya Airways.

KAWU, through Secretary General Moss Ndiema accuses KQ of financial wastage through payment of hefty salaries to senior Polish managers and consultants.

The union argues that the payments are a sign that the management of the national carrier is averse to financial prudence.

“These people are here to loot. Why duplicate services that are already being offered by Kenyans,” says Ndiema.

The workers defied the Employment and Labor Relations Court, which on Tuesday issued an injunction suspending the strike.

On Wednesday fire engines were withdrawn from some runways, with planes that were supposed to leave remaining grounded.

"We are stranded at JKIA since 3 am. All flights grounded," Kimany Kiongo tweets.

"Been here since 3 am... no entry into the terminal at #JKIA due to strike action," another traveler Nambi Sharon notes.

The striking workers include cabin crew, security, air traffic controllers, and aircraft maintenance service providers.

Transport Cabinet Secretary James Macharia has since assured travelers that normal operations will resume soon.