KAA Confirms Appointment of Moses Wekesa as New CEO

KAA Confirms Appointment of Moses Wekesa as New CEO

The Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) has officially appointed Moses Wekesa as its new Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, marking a significant leadership transition at a time when the country’s aviation sector is undergoing major reforms.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, April 14, the KAA Board of DiMoses Wekesa emerged as the top candidate following a competitive recruitment process designed to identify a leader capable of driving the authority’s long-term strategic goals.

“The KAA Board has appointed Moses Wekesa as Managing Director/CEO following a competitive process,” the board said, underscoring the rigorous nature of the selection exercise.

Wekesa now takes charge of overseeing the management, development and expansion of Kenya’s aviation infrastructure, including key airports and airstrips across the country. Among his primary responsibilities will be leading operations at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), the country’s main aviation hub and a critical gateway for regional and international travel.

His appointment comes at a pivotal moment for the authority, which is preparing to embark on an ambitious modernisation and expansion programme at JKIA. The project, expected to commence in June, aims to upgrade facilities, enhance passenger experience, and position the airport as one of Africa’s leading aviation hubs.

“He will lead KAA’s transformation agenda, including the modernization and expansion of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport,” the authority noted, highlighting the strategic importance of the initiative.

Wekesa brings with him extensive experience in infrastructure development and project management, having worked across Europe, Asia, the Pacific and Africa. Prior to his appointment, he served as Business Development Director at Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen), where he was instrumental in driving corporate growth and spearheading key development projects.

According to KAA, his expertise in handling complex, high-impact infrastructure projects will be critical in advancing Kenya’s aviation ambitions and responding to the evolving demands of the global air transport industry.

Academically, Wekesa holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering (Applied Mechanics) from the University of Nairobi, and postgraduate qualifications in Finance, Appraisal and Project Planning from the University of Bradford.

His appointment brings to an end a prolonged period of leadership transitions at KAA, which had seen several acting chief executives hold the position following the exit of former Managing Director Alex Gitari. Gitari’s tenure ended in August 2023 after a series of operational challenges, including power outages at JKIA, which raised concerns about infrastructure resilience.

In the aftermath, Henry Ogoye was appointed Acting Managing Director by Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen to ensure continuity. He was later succeeded in an acting capacity by Nicholas Bodo in December 2024, and most recently by Mohamud Gedi, as the authority continued its search for a substantive leader.

The recruitment process for the CEO position had been formally initiated earlier this year, with KAA seeking a candidate capable of aligning the organisation’s operations with market dynamics and the rapidly evolving aviation landscape.

Industry observers note that Wekesa’s appointment signals a renewed focus on stability and long-term planning within the authority, particularly as Kenya seeks to strengthen its position as a regional aviation hub.

As he assumes office, attention will be on how effectively he steers the modernisation of JKIA and addresses longstanding operational challenges, while positioning KAA to compete in an increasingly competitive global aviation environment.

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KAA Confirms Appointment of Moses Wekesa as New CEO