Allan Kilavuka is a Kenyan businessman and corporate executive, who has served as the chief executive officer of Kenya Airways, the national airline of Kenya, since 1 April 2020. He previously served as the CEO of Jambojet, a low-cost carrier wholly owned by Kenya Airways, from January 2019 to 31 March 2020.[1][2][3]
Allan Kilavuka | |
|---|---|
| Born | Kenya |
| Alma mater | University of Nairobi (Bachelor of Commerce) University of Liverpool (Certificate in Psychology) |
| Occupation | Corporate executive |
| Years active | 1999–present |
| Title | Chief executive officer, Kenya Airways |
Background and education
editKilavuka was born in Kenya and attended local primary and secondary schools. He studied at the University of Nairobi, graduating with a Bachelor of Commerce. He then went on to obtain a Certificate in Psychology from the University of Liverpool in the United Kingdom.[1][3] He has also attended courses in advanced management, executive leadership and financial management at Crotonville Leadership Institute, in Westchester County, New York, United States, owned by General Electric.[4]
Career
editBefore he took up his assignment with Jambojet, where his appointment was announced in November 2018,[5] he was the head of General Electric (GE) in sub-Saharan Africa. Prior to that, he served in various capacities at GE and at Deloitte, in their sub-Saharan African businesses.[6][7]
At Kenya Airways, he replaced Sebastian Mickosz, the Polish former chief executive, who resigned for personal reasons, before the expiry of his three-year contract.[8] Kilavuka will now sit on all the boards of Kenya Airways subsidiary companies. He will remain at the board of Jambojet, initially as the CEO and as a representative of Kenya Airways, starting on 1 April 2020.[9][4]
One of his first initiatives at KQ was to order a 25 percent executive pay cut for all top managers at the airline, beginning on 1 April 2020. The measure is aimed at conserving cash at the limping airline during the COVID-19 pandemic. As part of the same exercise, the company's board of directors will forego their board allowances during the same period.[10]
In 2023, the board of directors of KQ, extended Kilavuka's CEO contract for another 3 years until April 2026. Under his stewardship, the airline has trimmed back its annual losses and is expected to make profit in 2024.[11]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b Brian Ngugi (28 February 2020). "Kenya Airways confirms Allan Kilavuka appointment as CEO". Daily Nation. Nairobi. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
- ^ Jambojet.com (26 November 2018). "Jambojet Limited appoints Allan Kilavuka as its New Managing Director and CEO". Nairobi: Jambojet Limited. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
- ^ a b MarketScreener (6 September 2020). "Biography of Allan Kilavuka". Annecy, France: Marketscreener.com. Retrieved 6 September 2020.
- ^ a b Africa Inc Magazine (28 February 2020). "Allan Kilavuka confirmed as the new CEO for Kenya Airways". Nairobi: Africa Inc Magazine. Retrieved 6 September 2020.
- ^ Routes Online (7 January 2020). "Jambojet CEO Allan Kilavuka on LCCs in Africa". Manchester, United Kingdom: Routes Online. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
- ^ Log Update Africa (28 February 2020). "Allan Kilavuka becomes permanent CEO of Kenya Airways". New Bombay, India: Log Update Africa. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
- ^ The Knowledge Warehouse (26 April 2020). "Allan Kilavuka – The new CEO to watch at Kenya Airways". Nairobi: The Knowledge Warehouse Magazine Kenya. Retrieved 6 September 2020.
- ^ Brian Ngugi (24 May 2019). "Troubled Kenya Airways boss to quit before end of three-year contract". Business Daily Africa. Nairobi. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
- ^ Julie Owino (28 February 2020). "KQ promotes Jambojet's head Allan Kilavuka as the new CEO". Nairobi: 98.4 Capital FM. Retrieved 24 March 2020.
- ^ Bonface Otieno (19 March 2020). "Kenya Airways managers take 35pc pay cut in coronavirus turbulence". Business Daily Africa. Nairobi. Retrieved 24 March 2020.
- ^ Bonface Otieno (14 June 2024). "Kenya Airways Quietly Extends CEO Allan Kilavuka's Contract". Business Daily Africa. Nairobi, Kenya. Retrieved 14 June 2024.