y Duncan Miriri
NAIROBI, Feb 27 (Reuters) – Kenya Airways KQNA.NR named the head of its low-cost subsidiary as its new chief executive on Thursday.
Allan Kilavuka, who had been named as acting CEO in December, was chief executive of loss-making Kenya Airways’ Jambojet subsidary. His appointment takes effect on April 1, a company statement said.
“During his short time as acting CEO … (Kilavuka) has thrown all of his energy into this role while still maintaining his position of CEO as Jambojet,” the group’s chairman, Michael Joseph, said.
Kilavuka has been CEO of Jambojet since late 2018.
Kenya Airways was privatised more than 20 years ago but sank into debt and losses in 2014 after a failed expansion drive and is to be renationalised after Kenyan lawmakers voted in July to take back control of the airline.
The airline is 48.9% government owned while Air France-KLM AIRF.PA holds a 7.8% stake.
(Reporting by Duncan Miriri Writing by Maggie Fick Editing by David Goodman)
