The Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), was the scene of a sad tale after contracted employees were forced to sleep outside the terminal on Tuesday night, April 28.
Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke, a Project Manager (PM) who preferred anonymity, explained the events that led to the shocking scenes, revealing that the cleaners stationed at the international airport were all dismissed on Tuesday evening.
"We normally operate in three shifts, the first two went on without a hitch, but as I left for home at around 5 p.m., I got a call from a member of my team, who then told me that they had been asked to leave the airport with all their belongings.
"I hurriedly made my way back and found out that at around ten minutes to 6 p.m. all the workers were informed that their contracts had been suspended effective immediately," he elaborated.
The PM further revealed that the suspension was hinged on the Covid-19 outbreak, with management informing them that they would go without pay until the crisis was averted.
All the workers were ordered to surrender their passes, before being forced out where they spent the night, with many braving hunger pangs.
With nowhere to turn to, the workers who offer cleaning services braved the cold and camped outside one of the terminals overnight.
"I have been in contact with one of the directors, but so far the management has not come out to give us a way forward, as we are under contract," the project supervisor revealed.
He went on to express his disbelief at the unexpected and shocking dismissal, "They have dismissed everyone, we used to clean and ensure all the surfaces at the terminal were sanitised 24 hours a day. I still can't believe that this is happening."
The workers are yet to receive word from management regarding the way forward.
