The Kenya Airways pilots’ strike has entered the second-day leaving hundreds of passengers stranded.

The strike that started on Saturday has seen dozens of flights disrupted at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi after pilots went on strike to protest the withdrawal of their provident fund by their employer. Long queues were formed at the airport’s Terminal 1A where a majority of passengers check in for international as well as at domestic departures.

The Kenya Airline Pilots Association (Kalpa), which draws a bulk of its membership from KQ, called for industrial action to protest non-payment of monthly pension contributions for staff, failure to implement pay agreements (CBA), and alleged victimisation of its members.

The pilots also want the board, its chairman Michael Joseph and chief executive officer Allan Kilavuka to resign, claiming they have mismanaged the airline.

On his part, the Kenya Airways Chief Executive Officer Allan Kilavuka had issued a 24 hour ultimatum for the striking pilots to resume work immediately or face disciplinary action.

Transport Cabinet Secretary, Kipchumba Murkomen termed the industrial action as illegal, amounting to economic sabotage and meant to test the new government.