Kenya Airways has announced the exit of Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Allan Kilavuka after six years in charge of the national carrier.
In a statement on Tuesday, December 16, the Kenya Airways Board announced the appointment of Chief Operating Officer Captain George Kamal as acting CEO following Kilavuka's exit.
The Board said Kilavuka will proceed on terminal leave ahead of the expiry of his contract, formally concluding his six-year leadership of the airline.
"The Board of Directors of Kenya Airways PIc ("KQ") hereby announces that Mr. Allan Kilavuka will be exiting the Company as the Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer ('GMD/CEO"), as he proceeds on terminal leave ahead of expiry of his contractual tenure. This follows his service at the helm of the airline's executive leadership for a period of six (6) years," the statement read.
According to the board, Kilavuka played a key role in steering the airline through the COVID-19 pandemic and later oversaw improvements in revenue performance and freight operations.
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"During his tenure, Allan served with commitment, dedication, honour and diligence, steering the Company through the turbulent COVID-19 period which affected the aviation sector negatively. He subsequently oversaw the growth of revenues and freight volumes re-affirming the operational viability of the airline," the statement added.
The board and management expressed appreciation for Kilavuka’s leadership and service, and wished him well in his future engagements.
"The Board and management of the Company hereby express their gratitude to Allan for his diligence, service, leadership, and dedication to the Airline over the years, and wishes him the best in his future endeavours," the statement further read.
The board said Kamal will serve in acting capacity effective Tuesday, December 16, while a recruitment process for a substantive CEO begins.
"In the interim, the Board has appointed Captain George Kamal, the Company's Chief Operating Officer (COO), as acting GMD/CEO effective 16th December 2025. The Board will concurrently initiate the process to competitively recruit a substantive appointment for the position," the statement continued.
The board said it will fully support Captain Kamal as he takes over executive leadership of the airline during the interim period.
It further reaffirmed its focus on completing the airline’s ongoing turnaround strategy, aimed at strengthening operational reliability, sustainability, and long-term growth.
"The Board commits to support Captain Kamal as he takes over the organisation's executive leadership during this interim period.
"The Board of Directors remains focused on completing the ongoing turnaround strategy of the airline whose primary objective is to secure its operational reliability, sustainability and growth ambitions, and this has the support of the shareholders," the statement concluded.
This comes slightly over a year after the board announced the resignation of James David Kabeberi as an independent non-executive director.
In a notice on Wednesday, November 27, 2024, the KQ board noted that Kabeberi served as the Chairperson of the Board Audit and Risk Committee and a member of key committees.
The airline further disclosed that he served as the Chairman of Fahari Aviation Ltd., which is a subsidiary of the company.
"The Board of Directors of Kenya Airways Plc (KQ) hereby announces the resignation of Mr. James David Kabeberi as a director of the company.
"Kabeberi served as a director on the board and was the Chairman of the Board Audit and Risk Committee. He was also a member of the Strategy and Business Development Committee and the Human Resources Committee," read part of the notice.
The board expressed gratitude to Kabeberi for his service to the airline and extended their best wishes for his future endeavors.
"The Board wishes to express its deepest and most sincere gratitude to Mr. Kabeberi for his invaluable and robust contribution to the company during his tenure and wishes him the very best in his future endeavours," the notice added.
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