Another executive exit leaves the East African carrier searching for stability amidst an ongoing operational turnaround.
By Our Reporter
Nine months after stepping into the executive suite, Captain George Kamal has resigned as interim group managing director and chief executive of Kenya Airways PLC.
His abrupt departure, attributed in official regulatory filings to unspecified personal reasons, leaves the cash-strapped East African flag carrier facing yet another executive vacuum as it navigates an ambitious debt restructuring and fleet expansion.
The board has moved quickly to plug the gap by appointing Habil Waswani, the airline’s long-standing company secretary and legal director, as interim chief executive effective 15 September.
Speaking on the leadership transition, Kenya Airways Chairman Kiprono Kittony noted, “Mr Waswani is a distinguished corporate and commercial legal practitioner with over 24 years of multisectorial experience and more than five years of service at the airline”.
Captain Kamal will remain with the airline for a 30-day transition period before his formal exit on 30 September.Expressing appreciation for the outgoing chief, Kittony stated, “The Board and management of the Company hereby express their gratitude to Captain Kamal for his diligence, service, leadership and dedication to the Airline over the years and wishes him the best in his future endeavours”.
Having joined the carrier as chief operating officer, Captain Kamal took the helm in December 2025 following the departure of the previous executive leadership.Before taking charge as acting chief executive, Captain Kamal was tasked with stabilising day-to-day operations amidst recurring currency pressures and operational delays.
The leadership shift coincides with mounting financial headwinds, as the airline recently widened its full-year net losses to 16.1 billion Kenyan shillings despite recording an increase in revenue to 81.3 billion shillings.The company noted that it “remains focused on the ongoing turnaround strategy of the airline,” emphasising that its core objectives—securing operational reliability, returning to positive financial performance, and achieving long-term growth—remain fully intact.
The board confirmed it has initiated a competitive recruitment process for a permanent chief executive to secure fresh equity, optimise route profitability, and stabilise operational performance.
