Kenya Airways Acting CEO George Kamal Resigns
NAIROBI, KENYA — Kenya Airways Acting Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Capt. George Kamal, has resigned from the national carrier, citing personal reasons.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Kenya Airways said Kamal, who has served as Acting CEO since December 16, 2025, will remain with the airline during a 30-day transition period before officially leaving his position on September 30, 2026.
Before assuming the Acting CEO role, Kamal served as Kenya Airways’ Chief Operating Officer for three years. During his time in the airline’s executive leadership, he played a key role in stabilising operations and supporting the implementation of the company’s ongoing turnaround strategy.
The Kenya Airways Board thanked Kamal for his service, leadership and dedication to the national carrier and wished him success in his future endeavours.
Habil Waswani Appointed Acting CEO
Following Kamal’s resignation, the Board has appointed Habil Waswani, the airline’s Company Secretary and Director of Legal Services and Regulatory Compliance, as the new Acting Group Managing Director and CEO.
Waswani will assume the role effective September 15, 2026.
He has worked with Kenya Airways for more than five years, overseeing aviation and airline-related legal matters, as well as commercial and corporate law.
Waswani brings more than 24 years of experience as a corporate and commercial legal practitioner. His career has also included senior positions in listed banking and insurance institutions.
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.
Waswani also holds a Global Executive Master of Business Administration from the United States International University, completed in collaboration with Columbia Business School at Columbia University in New York.
Search for Substantive CEO Begins
Kenya Airways has also announced that its Board has initiated the process of competitively recruiting a substantive Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer.
The airline said it expects the recruitment process to be completed in the near future.
Despite the leadership transition, the company said its focus remains firmly on its ongoing turnaround strategy, which aims to strengthen operational reliability, restore sustainable positive financial performance and support the airline’s long-term growth ambitions.
The Board said the turnaround programme continues to receive the full support of Kenya Airways shareholders.
The leadership change comes at an important time for the national carrier as Kenya Airways continues efforts to strengthen its operations and secure a sustainable path toward long-term growth and profitability.
