Business · Energy & Commodities · 1 day ago
Kenya petroleum workers threaten strike from October 15 over labour disputes
The Kenya Petroleum Oil Workers Union has threatened a strike at Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) from October 15.
The union says workers’ concerns include delayed or unpaid allowances, alleged unequal shift payments and failure to implement a collective bargaining agreement.
It also alleges problems involving worker representation and the use of casual workers.
KPC operates pipelines that carry fuel from Mombasa to inland depots and regional markets.
A strike could disrupt fuel transport and distribution, affecting businesses and motorists, though the impact would depend on which operations were affected.
The union says KPC has until October 14 to address the disputes.
KPC says talks with the union are ongoing and that it is committed to the agreement and to keeping fuel transport reliable.
The Kenya Petroleum Oil Workers Union has threatened a strike from October 15 if Kenya Pipeline Company does not resolve outstanding labour disputes.
The union’s grievances include delayed allowances, alleged unequal shift payments and failure to implement a collective bargaining agreement.
KPC says it is in talks with the union and believes the issues can be resolved through established industrial relations mechanisms.
The union warned that a strike could disrupt petroleum transportation, loading and distribution, affecting businesses and motorists.
The strike notice expires on October 14.
- Who
- The Kenya Petroleum Oil Workers Union and Kenya Pipeline Company.
- What
- The union has threatened industrial action over unresolved labour disputes.
- When
- The strike could begin on October 15, 2026; the notice expires on October 14.
- Where
- Kenya Pipeline Company operations in Kenya; its pipeline network transports fuel from Mombasa to inland depots and regional markets.
- Why
- The union says KPC has not resolved grievances including delayed allowances, alleged discrimination in shift payments and failure to implement the collective bargaining agreement.
Kenya Petroleum Oil Workers Union
Kenya Pipeline Company
Labour disputes
Kenya Petroleum Oil Workers Union
The union says KPC has failed to resolve workers’ grievances despite repeated engagements.
Kenya Pipeline Company
KPC says talks with the union are ongoing and the issues can be addressed through established industrial relations mechanisms.
Strike threat
Kenya Petroleum Oil Workers Union
The union says industrial action may follow if the disputes are not resolved by the deadline.
Kenya Pipeline Company
KPC says it will continue engaging the union and does not believe public exchanges will help resolve the dispute.
Potential disruption
Kenya Petroleum Oil Workers Union
The union warns a strike could disrupt fuel transportation, loading and distribution.
Kenya Pipeline Company
KPC says it is prioritising the safe, reliable and uninterrupted transportation of petroleum products.
There is time for them to resolve this. So far, what we have seen are just mere delay tactics from management. We are asking genuine questions, but they do not want us to address them.
Preventing industrial action requires concrete action, not assurances,
KPC said in a statement that it had received the strike notice and would continue engaging the union.
Nation reported the union’s threat to strike from October 15 if the disputes were not resolved.
The union’s strike notice is due to expire.
The union says industrial action may begin if the disputes remain unresolved.
- Union
- Kenya Petroleum Oil Workers Union (KPOWU)
- Company
- Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC)
- Potential strike date
- October 15, 2026
- Strike notice deadline
- October 14, 2026
- Pipeline network
- About 1,342 kilometres
- Disputed agreement
- Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA)










