Kenya Airways Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mbuvi Nguze will be leaving the airline early next year.
Announcing the move today, KQ Chairman and former Safaricom CEO Michael Joseph said Mr Mbuvi be exiting KQ effective first quarter of 2017.
By that time, Mr Mbuvi will have worked with KQ for over five years and as the Group Managing Director and CEO for two years.
“I felt it was a natural point in the company’s evolution to pass on the baton,” noted Joseph in a statement. “While I regret this decision, I respect his position, Mr Mbuvi will stay on until a successor is found which is expected to take some months. “
Mr Joseph said the hunt for the next CEO will be a thoughtful process led by himself, the KQ board and nominations committee. The process, he hopes will focus on producing the right outcomes to lead KQ into its next chapter.
KQ Chairman said the company hopes to complete the recruitment process within the next three months, adding that they have already started the hunt to identify the right candidate with requisite airline experience.
“During this period, the Board chairman and the group managing director and CEO will work with the rest of the KQ senior leadership team to ensure continuity during the transition. Hence, this should not negatively impact our collaboration with our business partners, financiers and other stakeholders,” he noted.
“Although I have to date only worked with him for a short while; it has indeed been my privilege to work with Mbuvi so far.”