John Ngumi Resigns from Kenya Airways Board

Former Safaricom Chair and investment banker John Ngumi has stepped down from his position as an independent Non-Executive Director of Kenya Airways (KQ). The KQ Board of Directors announced Ngumi’s resignation on June 2 but did not provide immediate reasons for his departure.

Ngumi stated that he chose to leave because he believes the challenging task of stabilizing KQ is now yielding positive results. He expressed his confidence in the strategic and economic importance of KQ to Kenya and emphasized the need for continued support from the government.

Board chairman Michael Joseph acknowledged Ngumi’s significant contributions in turning around the financial difficulties faced by the national carrier. Ngumi played a key role in addressing the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and implementing measures to reduce costs while seeking to increase revenue.

Ngumi was initially elected to the KQ Board in 2019 when the airline’s financial troubles became apparent. However, he is currently being investigated for his alleged involvement in brokering the Sh6.1 billion acquisition of Telkom Kenya.

The Board has appointed David Kabeberi as Ngumi’s interim replacement. Kabeberi, a member of KQ’s Audit and Risk Committee, brings over 40 years of experience in accounting, finance, and business strategy across various industries in the public and private sectors. He also serves on the boards of First Assurance Company Ltd and Proctor and Allan Ltd, among others.

Ngumi’s resignation comes at a crucial time for KQ, as it strives to strengthen its position in the aviation industry. The Board and Management have worked tirelessly to navigate the challenges brought by the pandemic and create a transformational platform for the airline’s future growth. With Ngumi’s departure, they believe it is an opportune moment for new individuals to build upon the progress made so far and secure a prosperous future for Kenya Airways.