Habil Waswani: Steady rise of lawyer appointed as new acting Kenya Airways CEO
Habil Waswani is stepping into the cockpit of Kenya Airways’ corporate leadership at a defining moment for the national carrier, bringing more than two decades of experience in law, corporate governance, and regulatory compliance to the acting CEO role. Kenya Airways has appointed Waswani as its Acting Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, effective […]
Habil Waswani has been appointed as the new Acting Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Kenya Airways, stepping into the role on September 15, 2026, following the resignation of Captain George Kamal. This marks a shift from an aviation-focused leadership to one rooted in corporate governance and legal affairs. Waswani has held various senior positions in Kenya's major financial institutions before joining Kenya Airways in 2021, where he took on legal, risk, and compliance responsibilities.
His role has given him significant insight into the airline's legal and regulatory environment. As Company Secretary, he has worked closely with the Board of Directors and handled governance processes and regulatory obligations. In 2024, Waswani was recognized by Legal 500 GC Power List East Africa for his legal contributions across banking, insurance, and aviation.
His appointment comes amid Kenya Airways' ongoing turnaround strategy aimed at improving operational reliability, achieving sustainable profitability, and achieving growth. Kamal, who resigned for personal reasons, will serve in a transition role for 30 days before leaving on September 30, 2026. The airline's board will then initiate a search for a permanent CEO.
Written by urgent.news from People Daily Kenya's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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