Kenya Airways Hires New Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer to Fly into a Brighter Future

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Kenya Airways has appointed Mrs. Hellen Mwariri Mathuka, previously KQ’s Chief Finance Officer, as the new Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer.

The changes, aimed at enhancing operational efficiency and driving sustainable growth, effective September 1, 2024, as the Company continues on its upward trajectory witnessed this year. This follows the Company’s come-back as it reported a half-year profit for the first time in a decade.  

Hellen, who joined the airline in 2009, has held various roles in audit, revenue management, and finance. In her new position, she will oversee the organization’s strategic direction even as it continues to embark on its strategic turnaround plan Project Kifaru 2.0. strategy, innovation and sustainability, corporate communication, network planning, pricing and revenue management, and government affairs.

In 2021, Kenya Airways launched the Fahari Innovation Hub as a springboard for new ideas and data-driven innovations to accelerate impact-driven solutions that address some of the societal and business challenges. The Fahari Innovation Hub was part of KQ’s strategy in contributing to the sustainable development of Africa by empowering, partnering, and co-creating innovative ideas and strategies with local start-ups and the small-medium enterprises (SMEs) ecosystem.

In the same year, Kenya Airways and @iBizAfrica Incubation Centre Strathmore University also partnered for the KQ’s Fahari Innovation Challenge to create opportunities for the youth and use tech innovations to resolve specific problems that affect businesses. The two organisations promised to provide technical guidance around accuracy of innovation and entrepreneurial information. KQ will provide internship opportunities to both undergraduate and post graduate students within the university and collaborate in research projects as well as co creation with Startups and SME’s within the Centre.

If you remember, there was a time Kenya Airways (KQ) signed a deal with two Brazillian aviation firms Eve Holdings Inc and Embrear to buy 40 flying taxis as part of the airline’s diversification through its new subsidiary Fahari Aviation. Fahari will support Eve’s aircraft and product development process, which will help guide the integration of Kenya Airways.

KQ CEO Allan Kivaluka said the deal is part of the airline’s initiative to embrace drone technologies and establish drone cargo operations in Kenya. The flying taxis also known in technical terms as the electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, are a new technology that uses electricity to hover, take off, and land vertically, making it easier to move within cities while avoiding traffic jams.

KQ signed a letter of intent (LOI) with EVE UAM, LLC, a subsidiary of Eve Holding, Inc. and a carve-out of Embraer S.A. to develop and scale the Urban Air Mobility (UAM) market. The LOI also covers a business model for cargo drone operations in Kenya and the national carrier expects to start deliveries by 2026.

On the other hand, Mary Mwenga has been appointed Acting Chief Finance Officer. Mary brings over 20 years of experience in finance and previously served as Head of Business Performance & Reporting.

Kenya Airways Group Managing Director and CEO, Allan Kilavuka, stated, ” By optimizing our internal structures and focusing on strategic areas, Kenya Airways is now better equipped to respond to growing market demands, embrace new opportunities, and sustain our trajectory of growth.”

Kilavuka said the airline’s renewed focus on financial restructuring, cost discipline, and operational efficiency provides a solid foundation for sustainable growth and continued success in the competitive aviation industry.

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