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ALLAN KILAVUKA
GROUP MD/CEO, KENYA AIRWAYS PLC
Humble and soft spoken, yet tenacious and forward-thinking, Allan Kilavuka is the Group Managing Director (GMD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Kenya Airways (KQ), the country’s national carrier. He assumed the position in April 2020, after serving as the interim head since January of the same year.
Kilavuka attended the esteemed University of Nairobi (UoN), graduating with honours and earning a Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) degree in Accounting.
In the year 2000, Kilavuka began his journey in the world of finance at Deloitte. His responsibilities initially revolved around client business support tasks, and in time transitioned to audit and advisory services. While at the firm, Kilavuka opted to enhance his credentials by passing the inaugural Certified Information Systems Audit exam in Kenya.
He was then recruited by General Electric (GE) Africa in 2005 to play a crucial role in the company’s growth across the continent. In 2009, he was entrusted with the responsibility of relocating to South Africa as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to spearhead the turnaround of GE Africa Power Services, which was facing challenges. Through Kilavuka’s efforts, the turnaround was a success.
In 2011, Kilavuka was further assigned to lead GE’s Industrial Solutions business in the Middle East and Africa, due to his ability to stabilise and revitalise businesses. His dedication and expertise earned him a promotion to the position of Commercial Finance Leader for GE Africa in May 2014, a role he held until he was appointed as the Global Operations Leader for the region. This promotion offered Kilavuka a chance to return home in 2015, as the GE Africa head office is in Nairobi. He held the position for three years, during which he furthered his studies, successfully obtaining a Postgraduate Certificate in Psychology from the esteemed University of Liverpool, UK in 2016.
Additionally, Kilavuka underwent extensive training at GE’s prestigious Crotonville Leadership Institute in New York, USA, focusing on Executive Leadership, Advanced Management, and Financial Management.
Driven by ambition and an enhanced passion for leadership, Kilavuka took on the challenging role of leading Jambojet, KQ’s subsidiary, in 2018. Under his two-year tenure, Jambojet managed to maintain its revenue base, strategically expand its routes within the East African region and sustain profitability even amidst a challenging economic and social environment, facing cutthroat competition.
Kilavuka’s leadership philosophy is firmly centred on prioritising customers and people, striving for excellence, nurturing innovation, and driving profitable growth. These principles have formed the core of his strategy. Under Kilavuka’s guidance, KQ has embraced a culture of innovation, encouraging new ideas and approaches to stay ahead in the ever-changing aviation landscape. For example, in the past year, KQ has successfully expanded its network routes, as well as introduced a loyalty program to appreciate its customers.
Furthermore, in 2020, Kilavuka founded Fahari Aviation Ltd, a KQ subsidiary. Its primary purpose is to spearhead the effective application of emerging aviation technologies, currently concentrating on Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) technology, otherwise referred to as drones, in sectors such as agriculture, energy, survey, and environmental conservation. Drones, as a technology disruptor, have the potential to enhance operational efficiency, gather consistently accurate data for decision making, reduce operational cost, and improve productivity and safety.
As a result of Kilavuka’s meticulous turnaround strategy, the airline is weathering the global hit of economic downturn caused by the rising strength of the US Dollar, as well as the political ramifications of the Russo-Ukrainian war, which occurred hot on the heels of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Outside of the office, Kilavuka is a man of diverse passions. From exhilarating hiking adventures and sporting activities to immersing himself in the pages of captivating books, he embraces an array of interests.
Kilavuka enjoys spending quality time with his loving and incredibly supportive wife, alongside their three wonderful children.
He actively engages in caring for special needs children, particularly at his local church. To him, these children hold a special place in his heart, as they teach him invaluable lessons about life and the essence of building meaningful relationships – lessons that he cherishes more than any other source of knowledge. They have a profound impact on his life, grounding him and enriching his understanding of what truly matters in the world.
Established in 1977, KQ has grown to become one of the largest carriers on the African continent, connecting Nairobi, its hub, to over 50 domestic and international destinations, ferrying both passengers and cargo. With a modern fleet and a focus on safety, KQ offers passengers a comfortable and reliable travel experience. The airline’s dedication to sustainability and community engagement reflects its responsibility as a leading player in the African aviation industry. KQ continues to play a vital role in enhancing Kenya’s position as a major gateway to Africa and the preferred aviation hub for taking Africa to the world, fostering economic growth and promoting tourism on the continent. It maintains its brand position as ‘The Pride of Africa’.
