Kenyan Aviation Strikes Finally Over

Kenya's capital city has only one reliable international airport. The Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) in Nairobi is one of the largest airports in all of Africa, often serving as a connection between Europe, Asia, and Africa. Now, however, its reliability has begun to decrease. The cause of the issue lies in the strikes enacted earlier this week by the Kenya Aviation Workers Union, which left the nation's airport reeling as passengers were left stranded, unsure if their flights were ever going to take off. 

Workers who took part in the strike cited many reasons for their involvement. Among the key discussions were higher pay, better conditions and more important benefits (health, dental, pension). However, the greatest concern of those on strike was the implementation of a previously negotiated, long-delayed collective bargaining agreement. The previously agreed upon document would raise wages and ensure higher safety based regulation for those working in aviation. The largest goal of the strikes, which was primarily achieved, was to inhibit Kenyan politicians on their way to conferences in different parts of the nation or other African countries. 

Earlier this week, the Kenya Aviation Workers Union and the government of Kenya were able to come to an agreement. The initial response of the government was a court order that suggested the strike did not occur. After that did not succeed, meetings were held to end the strike and get the airport back in operation. After the delegation, members of the union agreed to sign a return to work form, meaning that the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport will be back in operation soon.

Read more here: 

• Mwangi, Monicah, Reuters

• BHRC

• Rukanga, Basilloh, BBC

Extemp Analysis by Finian Knepper

Question: Was the cost of Kenyan Aviation strikes worth it for the nation?

AGD: Try and take a more hopeful, or optimistic angle. It will go over better given the content of your speech. 

BG: Your main focus here should be general knowledge. Judges, especially lay ones, will likely be completely uninformed about the current situation in Kenya. This emphasizes the current situation, but also the internal politics and systems of Kenya that change its impact are especially important. 

Thesis: Yes, because workers' key wants were met. 

1. Increased worker protections

2. Better security for flights

3. Exemplifies a good system of labour rights. 

Substructure: For this question, I recommend the use of descriptive substructure; specifically past/present. Comparing what Kenya looked like before the strikes through any lens you prefer; be it on the world stage, diplomatically, or internally, then taking a look at how this has changed as a result of the strikes will be a strong way to make a speech.