Kenya Airways has strengthened its leadership team after appointing four new members to its Board of Directors, a move that the national carrier says is meant to support its governance and strategic direction as it continues navigating a competitive aviation industry.
In a public notice released on Thursday, the airline confirmed the appointment of economist Dr. David Ndii, businessman Kiprono Kittony, corporate executive Chris Diaz and finance scholar Prof. Winnie Iminza Nyamute to its board.
The airline said the changes were made in line with regulations by the Capital Markets Authority that require listed companies to publicly disclose board appointments.
Kiprono Kittony has taken up the role of Chairperson and Non-Executive Director of the board. He currently serves as the chairman of the Nairobi Securities Exchange and is widely known in Kenya’s business circles.
Over the years, he has been associated with several organisations in different sectors including finance, media and technology. Kittony has also been credited with helping to revive the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry during his time as its chairman.
His academic background includes a Bachelor of Commerce degree and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Nairobi.
He also holds a Global Executive MBA jointly offered by United States International University-Africa and Columbia University. In recognition of his service in the business sector, he was awarded the Elder of the Order of the Burning Spear (EBS) in 2019 by former President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Economist Dr. David Ndii joins the board as a Non-Executive Director. He currently serves as Chairperson of the President’s Council of Economic Advisors, where he plays a key role in advising the Head of State on economic policy and helping guide the country’s economic transformation agenda.
Dr. Ndii has more than three decades of experience in economic research and policy work. He is known as an economist, author and strategist, and holds advanced academic qualifications from the University of Oxford and the University of Nairobi. He is also a Rhodes Scholar and an Eisenhower Fellow.
Throughout his career, he has worked with institutions such as the World Bank and Equity Bank, where he served as Chief Economist. He also founded the Institute of Economic Affairs and Africa Economics, both of which focus on economic policy research.
Chris Diaz and Prof. Winnie Iminza Nyamute have joined the board as Independent Non-Executive Directors. Their appointments bring additional experience in corporate leadership, governance and financial management.
Diaz currently chairs Adili Group and serves as a director at ALN Africa as well as a group director at Bidco Africa. With more than 34 years of professional experience, he has been involved in strategy development and business operations across different industries. He has also previously worked in the aviation sector through roles linked to Kenya Airways and the Kenya Airports Authority.
Prof. Nyamute is an associate professor at the University of Nairobi and has spent more than 30 years working in the fields of finance and accounting. She has served on the boards of several companies including the Nairobi Securities Exchange, Sameer Africa Plc and Family Bank Limited. Her work has focused on strengthening financial governance and leadership in both academic and corporate environments.
“As a Certified Public Accountant and ICPAK Fellow, her career reflects a commitment to excellence, leadership, and service within Kenya’s financial sector,” the statement noted.
The appointments add a mix of economic, academic and business experience to the Kenya Airways board at a time when the airline continues working to improve its financial performance and operational stability.
The new directors are expected to support the airline’s long-term strategy and provide oversight as it navigates changes in the aviation industry.
