- Kenya Airways has appointed Habil Waswani as Acting Group Managing Director and CEO from September 15, 2026.
- The appointment follows George Kamal’s resignation, which the airline said was made for personal reasons.
- Kamal will remain at the national carrier for a 30-day transition period before leaving on September 30.
- Waswani has worked at Kenya Airways since 2021 and has more than 24 years of corporate and commercial legal experience.
- The airline’s board has started a competitive search for a substantive Group Managing Director and CEO.
Kenya Airways is preparing for another change at the top, with Habil Waswani set to take over as Acting Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer following the resignation of Captain George Kamal.
Waswani, who currently serves as the airline’s Company Secretary and Director of Legal Services and Regulatory Compliance, will assume the acting position on September 15, 2026. Kamal will remain at the national carrier for a 30-day handover period before his formal departure at the end of the month.
The change comes at a critical stage for Kenya Airways as the carrier works to improve its operations and return to sustainable financial performance. The board has also begun the process of identifying a substantive CEO to lead the airline beyond the interim period.
Waswani brings a legal and corporate governance background to the temporary leadership position. He joined Kenya Airways in March 2021 and has been responsible for legal matters covering aviation, commercial operations, corporate affairs and regulatory compliance.
Before joining the national carrier, he held senior positions in the banking and insurance sectors. His professional experience includes work at National Bank of Kenya, Kenya Reinsurance Corporation and Diamond Trust Bank, giving him more than two decades of experience in corporate and commercial law.
Waswani holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Nairobi and a Diploma in Law from the Kenya School of Law. He is also a Certified Public Secretary and completed a Global Executive MBA programme through United States International University in partnership with Columbia Business School in New York.
His appointment means the airline will be led on an interim basis by an executive whose previous responsibilities have centred heavily on legal, regulatory and corporate matters as the board continues its search for a permanent CEO.
Kamal became Kenya Airways’ Acting Group Managing Director and CEO on December 16, 2025, following the departure of Allan Kilavuka. Before moving into the top executive role, he had served as the airline’s Chief Operating Officer for about three years.
During his time as COO and later Acting CEO, Kamal was involved in efforts to stabilise the carrier’s operations and implement its turnaround programme. Kenya Airways’ board has credited him with guiding the company through its previous leadership transition and supporting the execution of its recovery strategy.
The airline said Kamal’s decision to resign was based on personal reasons. He will continue working with Kenya Airways during the transition period before formally leaving on September 30, allowing the incoming acting CEO to take charge before his exit.
The board has thanked Kamal for his service and leadership and said it will proceed with the competitive recruitment of a substantive Group Managing Director and CEO.
Kenya Airways Still Under Financial Pressure
Waswani’s appointment comes shortly after Kenya Airways released its latest financial results, which showed a mixed performance in the first six months of 2026.
The airline reported revenue of KSh81 billion for the six months ended June 30, representing a 9% increase despite operating with 9% less capacity. Kenya Airways attributed the improvement to stronger aircraft utilisation, commercial performance, higher cabin factor and resilient passenger demand.
The stronger revenue, however, has not yet translated into a return to profitability. Kenya Airways reported a loss after tax of KSh16.1 billion for the period, compared with KSh12.2 billion in the corresponding period a year earlier.
The airline said rising jet fuel costs and continued global supply-chain problems have put pressure on its finances. Fuel costs increased by 32% year on year, while shortages of aircraft spare parts and longer component lead times also affected aircraft availability and operational reliability.
Turnaround Strategy Remains a Priority
The leadership change comes as Kenya Airways continues to pursue a turnaround programme focused on strengthening operational reliability, improving its financial position and supporting future growth.
The airline’s board has previously linked the strategy to the need for sustainable financial performance and long-term growth, while also pursuing efforts to attract strategic investment.
Waswani will therefore take over at a time when the national carrier is trying to build on improved revenue performance while dealing with significant cost and operational challenges. His tenure is expected to remain temporary as the board searches for a substantive CEO to provide longer-term leadership.
The next appointment will be closely watched because the permanent CEO will inherit the task of turning recent improvements in revenue and aircraft utilisation into consistent profitability and stronger operational performance.
