NAIROBI, Kenya- Kenya Airways has announced a leadership change at the national carrier, with Habil Waswani appointed Acting Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer following the resignation of Captain George Kamal.
Waswani, who currently serves as Kenya Airways’ Company Secretary and Director of Legal Services and Regulatory Compliance, will assume the acting CEO role on September 15, 2026, according to the airline’s announcement.
Kamal, who has been serving as Acting Group MD and CEO since December 16, 2025, will remain with the airline for a 30-day transition period before formally leaving on September 30, 2026.
The airline said his resignation was based on personal reasons.
The leadership transition comes as Kenya Airways continues implementing a turnaround strategy aimed at improving operational reliability, restoring sustainable positive financial performance and supporting the airline’s growth ambitions.
The board has also begun the process of competitively recruiting a substantive Group Managing Director and CEO.
Who is Habil Waswani?
Waswani has served at Kenya Airways for more than five years, overseeing legal matters relating to aviation and the airline’s commercial and corporate operations.
He has more than 24 years of experience as a corporate and commercial legal practitioner and has previously held senior positions in the banking and insurance sectors.
He holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Nairobi, a Diploma in Law from the Kenya School of Law and is a Certified Public Secretary.
He also holds a Global Executive MBA from United States International University, earned in collaboration with Columbia Business School in New York.
Kamal’s brief tenure comes to an end
Kamal took over the acting CEO position in December 2025 after the departure of former CEO Allan Kilavuka. Before becoming acting CEO, Kamal served as Kenya Airways’ Chief Operating Officer for about three years.
During his tenure, the airline credited him with helping stabilise operations and leading the implementation of its turnaround strategy. The board thanked him for his service, leadership and dedication and wished him well in his future endeavours.
His departure comes shortly after Kenya Airways reported a 9% increase in revenue to Sh81 billion for the six months ended June 30, 2026, despite operating with 9% less capacity.
The airline said stronger aircraft utilisation and commercial performance contributed to the improvement.
However, the carrier continues to face significant financial pressures.
Kenya Airways recorded a pre-tax loss of Sh15.92 billion in the first half of 2026, up from Sh12.17 billion during the same period a year earlier.
Fuel costs rose sharply during the period, while the airline has also been dealing with maintenance and spare-parts challenges.
The board is therefore expected to continue its search for a substantive CEO as Waswani takes charge on an interim basis.
The transition marks another leadership change at Kenya Airways as the national carrier seeks to strengthen its operations, improve its financial position and attract strategic investment to support its long-term recovery.
