Michael Joseph is stepping down as Board Chairman of Kenya Airways PLC, concluding an eight-year tenure.
His departure was confirmed in a notice issued ahead of the airline’s 49th Annual General Meeting (AGM) on June 13, 2025.
Kenya Airways stated that Joseph “will not stand for re-election” as he has “reached the maximum term allowed under the Board Charter.”
The notice further clarified: “Mr. Michael Joseph retires in accordance with Article 69 of the Company’s Articles of Association and is not eligible for re-election having attained the maximum tenure under the Board Charter.”
Joseph was appointed Chairman and Independent Non-Executive Director of the Kenya Airways Board in October 2016.
According to the airline, he provided “outstanding leadership during some of its toughest and most pivotal years.”
Michael Joseph: A Profile
Joseph is widely recognised as the founding CEO of Safaricom PLC and the architect behind M-Pesa, the mobile money platform that transformed financial inclusion in Africa and set a global benchmark in digital finance.
His contributions have earned him several honours, including “CEO of the Year” from the Kenya Institute of Management. He was also awarded the Elder of the Order of the Burning Spear, a national honour presented by the President of Kenya for significant contributions to the country.
Beyond business, Joseph is an active conservationist and currently chairs the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, a leading conservation initiative in Northern Kenya.
Other Changes to Kenya Airways’ Board
Raphael Otieno, who represents the Cabinet Secretary to the National Treasury, will also retire in line with Article 69 of the Company’s Articles of Association.
However, unlike Joseph, Otieno is eligible for reappointment and has offered himself for re-election, allowing shareholders to vote on filling the vacant Director positions.
The notice added: “Shareholders will be requested to elect the Board members at the meeting or in advance of the meeting. Names of persons nominated will be available 7 days before the AGM on the Company’s website page.”
The AGM agenda also includes the re-election of Audit and Risk Committee members and the appointment of external auditors for the next financial year.
Current committee members—John Wilson, Festus Kin’gori, Mohamed Daghar (Principal Secretary, State Department of Transport), and Otieno—are all set to retire at the AGM but have expressed willingness to continue and are seeking re-election.
Shareholders will vote on their reappointment, contingent on the results of the board elections.