By Samuel Ssenono
Kenya Airways has announced the resignation of its Acting Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Captain George Kamal, with the airline appointing Habil Waswani to take over in an acting capacity.
In a public announcement dated September 1, 2026, the Kenya Airways Board said Kamal had resigned for personal reasons and will formally exit the airline on September 30 after a 30-day transition period.
Kamal initially served as Kenya Airways’ Chief Operating Officer for three years before becoming Acting Group Managing Director and CEO on December 16, 2025.
The airline credited him with helping stabilise operations during his time as Chief Operating Officer and subsequently leading the company through its executive leadership transition and implementation of its turnaround strategy.
“The Board and management of the Company hereby express their gratitude to Capt. Kamal for his diligence, service, leadership, and dedication to the Airline over the years,” the statement said.
The Board has appointed Habil Waswani, currently the Company Secretary and Director of Legal Services and Regulatory Compliance, as Acting Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer effective September 15, 2026.
Kenya Airways said it has already started a competitive recruitment process for a substantive Group Managing Director and CEO, which it expects to complete in the near term.
Waswani has worked at Kenya Airways for more than five years, leading legal matters related to aviation and airline operations as well as commercial and corporate law.
He has more than 24 years of corporate and commercial legal experience and previously worked in the banking and insurance sectors.
Waswani 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 is also a graduate of the Global Executive Master of Business Administration programme offered by United States International University in collaboration with Columbia Business School.
Kenya Airways said its turnaround strategy remains focused on improving operational reliability, sustaining positive financial performance and achieving its targeted growth ambitions.
