(NAIROBI, KENYA) – The board of Kenya Airways has removed George Kamal as acting group managing director and chief executive officer after just over eight months in the role. He has been replaced by Habil Waswani, the airline’s company secretary and head of legal, who will also serve in an acting capacity.
Mr Waswani’s appointment takes effect on 15th September as the board continues its search for a substantive CEO. The board said it has already started the recruitment process and expects to conclude it soon.
Mr Kamal had held the position since mid-December 2025, when he took over from Allan Kilavuka, who proceeded on terminal leave ahead of the end of his tenure in April 2026. Mr Kamal served in the interim role for slightly more than eight months.
Board chairman Kiprono Kittony said Mr Kamal’s leadership helped steer the airline through a difficult period, but he did not explain why Mr Kamal was removed or say whether he would return to his previous role as chief operations officer.
“During his tenure, he brought extensive aviation expertise to bear in stabilizing the airline’s operations and successfully steered the company through the most recent executive leadership transition,” Mr Kittony said in a statement.
Mr Kamal joined Kenya Airways in March 2023 as chief operating officer. He previously served as chief executive and operating officer at Iraqi Airways and before that as head of operations at Air Arabia.
Mr Waswani joined the airline in March 2021 as company secretary and director of legal services and regulatory compliance. He moved from National Bank of Kenya, where he held a similar position. Much of his career has been in the financial services sector, including roles at Diamond Trust Bank and Kenya Reinsurance Corporation as general manager legal and company secretary.
“His career spans senior corporate governance roles across leading banking and insurance institutions. He is also a multiple recipient of the prestigious Legal 500 GC Powerlist East Africa Awards since 2004,” Mr Kittony said.
The incoming CEO will be expected to lead a turnaround strategy for the airline, steering it away from sustained losses and back to profitability amid global aviation industry challenges.
In the half year to June 2026, the national carrier’s losses widened by 32% to KES 16 billion (about $123 million / £96 million / €112 million) from KES 12 billion (about $92 million / £72 million / €84 million) a year earlier. Capacity constraints and rising fuel costs weighed on performance.
The airline has been relying on growing demand for air travel in Kenya and globally to lift revenues as it works to return to profit. Its challenges include a heavy debt burden that, combined with years of losses, has deepened its negative equity position. The government has continued to provide financial support while plans to bring in a strategic investor have yet to materialise.