Ex-Safaricom boss Michael Joseph set to head KQ as pilots finally send top management packing

The stubborn persistence by Kenya Airways pilots seem to have finally borne fruit as the top-most hierarchy are set to exit at the end of the month.

Chief executive officer Mbuvi Ngunze and Chairman Dennis Awori will give way part of the national carrier’s turnaround strategy following the release of an in-depth analysis by Deloitte East Africa on the affairs of the national carrier.

Safaricom’s ex-boss Michael Joseph is expected to take up the Chairman post while the CEOs position is set to be advertised as reported by Citizen TV.

Dramatic week

It has been a dramatic week for KQ after pilots threatened to strike after declaring that they no longer had faith with the current management to steer the airline back to its former pride.

The government in a swift counter-reaction, on Thursday, ordered a stop to the planned strike.

Through Transport Cabinet Secretary James Macharia, the government said the strike amounted to “economic sabotage” which would cost the airline hundreds of millions daily.

Kenya Airways had also threatened to stop selling tickets on its network if pilots did not rescind on their decision.

The government has at the same time ordered its officials to fly the national airline on trips abroad.

The strike threat was the second this year as the pilots stood firm with their resolve to oust Ngunze and Awori.