Kenya Airways chief executive Mbuvi Ngunze has announced that he will step down from the helm of the national carrier early next year.
The Kenya Airline Pilots Association had been pushing for the resignation of Ngunze and former chairman Dennis Awori since April over changes in the loss-making carrier's senior management.
“Today, Mbuvi (Ngunze) is announcing that he will be leaving KQ effective first quarter 2017,” recently appointed chairman, Michael Joseph, said in a statement on Thursday.
According to the statement, Mbuvi will stay on until a successor is found which is expected to take some months.
“The selection of the next CEO will be a thoughtful process led by myself together with the Board Governance and Nominations committee, which will focus on producing the right outcomes to lead KQ into its next chapter” Michael Joseph.
“ I hope to complete this process within the next 3 months and I have already started the process to search for and identify the right candidate with the relevant airline experience,” he added.
Joseph wished Mbuvi and staff members success as they continue with Operation Pride turnaround initiatives and the Capital Optimization project.
“Rest assured that they can count on the continued support, productive cooperation and commitment from the Board,” he added.
Joseph assured that the Board Chairman and the Group MD and CEO will work with the rest of the KQ senior leadership team to ensure continuity during the transition.
“ This should not negatively impact our collaboration with our business partners, financiers and other stakeholders”.
Ngunze has worked for the airline for over 5 years and the Group Managing Director for 2 years.