Kenya Airways is poised for a leadership shake‑up after President William Ruto confirmed that a new board will be appointed this week.
Speaking at the Kenya Open 2026 golf tournament on February 22, Ruto described the national carrier as “the pride of Africa” and a “national jewel,” pledging to make its revival his next priority.
“Kenya Airways, the pride of Africa, is our jewel. And I want to tell the good people at Kenya Airways that this is going to be my next focus,” Ruto said.
New Board to Drive Airline’s Turnaround
Ruto emphasized that the incoming board will include men and women tasked with steering Kenya Airways through a critical transformation phase. He linked the airline’s renewal to broader national reforms aimed at strengthening Kenya’s economic resilience.
“In fact, this week we will appoint a new board for Kenya Airways to ensure we get leaders who will drive its transformation as we transform our nation,” he added.
Kenya Airways Ownership Structure
Kenya Airways (KQ) remains majority‑owned by the Kenyan government, which holds 48.9% of shares. The airline is undergoing full nationalization to manage its debt burden. Other key shareholders include:
| Shareholder | Approximate Stake | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Government of Kenya | 48.9% | Majority owner |
| KQ Lenders Company 2017 Ltd | 38.1% | Consortium of local banks |
| Air France‑KLM | 7.8% | Strategic partner |
| Employee Share Ownership Scheme (ESOS) | 2.4% | Staff stake |
| Other Investors | 2.8% | Individual shareholders |
KQ shares suspension on the Nairobi Securities Exchange was lifted on January 2025
Current Board Members (Early 2026)
The airline’s board reflects government and financial interests, alongside independent directors:
- Capt. George Kamal – Acting Group Managing Director & CEO
- Esther Koimett, CBS – Non‑Executive Director (KQ Lenders Company 2017 Ltd)
- Teresia Mbaika, CBS – Non‑Executive Director (State Department of Transport)
- Festus King’ori – Independent Non‑Executive Director
- Christopher James Buckley – Independent Non‑Executive Director
- Raphael Owino Otieno – Non‑Executive Director
- Alex Mbuvi – Alternate Director to the PS, State Department of Transport
- Philip Wanjohi Wambugu, OGW – Non‑Executive Director
- Habil A. Waswani – Company Secretary
Leadership Transition: Kilavuka’s Exit
On December 16, 2025, Kenya Airways announced the departure of Allan Kilavuka as Group Managing Director and CEO after six years of service. He proceeded on terminal leave ahead of his contract’s expiry.
The board expressed gratitude for his leadership and wished him success in future endeavors. To ensure continuity, Captain George Kamal, previously Chief Operating Officer, was appointed Acting Group Managing Director and CEO effective December 16, 2025.
