Kenya Airways Acting Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Capt. George Kamal has resigned from the national carrier, citing personal reasons, with the airline naming its Company Secretary Habil Waswani as his successor on an interim basis.
KQ, in a statement on September 1, 2026, said Kamal’s resignation takes effect after a 30-day transition period, with his formal exit scheduled for September 30, 2026.
Waswani, who serves as the airline’s Company Secretary and Director of Legal Services and Regulatory Compliance, will assume the position of Acting Group Managing Director and CEO from September 15, 2026.
Kamal joined the airline’s executive leadership as Chief Operating Officer, a position he held for three years before taking over as acting CEO on December 16, 2025.
During his time in senior management, KQ said Kamal played a key role in stabilising the airline’s operations and guiding the company through an executive leadership transition.
He also led the executive team as the airline implemented its ongoing turnaround strategy.
The board thanked Kamal for his “diligence, service, leadership, and dedication” and wished him well in his future endeavours.
KQ Chairman Kiprono Kittony said the airline appreciated Kamal’s contribution during his years of service and would work with him during the transition period ahead of his departure.
Waswani, who has more than 24 years of experience in corporate and commercial law, has been with Kenya Airways for more than five years, where he has overseen aviation and airline-related legal matters as well as commercial and corporate law.
Before joining KQ, he held senior positions in listed banking and insurance institutions, having built a career in corporate governance and legal practice since 2004.
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.
He also holds a Global Executive Master of Business Administration degree from the United States International University in collaboration with Columbia Business School, Columbia University.
KQ said Waswani has been recognised in the Legal 500 GC Powerlist, East Africa awards, from 2024 to 2026.
The board said it fully supports his appointment during the interim period, while confirming that it has already begun the process of recruiting a substantive CEO.
The airline said its focus remains on implementing its turnaround strategy, with the goal of improving operational reliability, returning to sustainable positive financial performance and achieving its targeted growth ambitions.
The appointment comes as the national carrier continues efforts to strengthen its operations and financial position under the ongoing turnaround programme.