Macharia names Norwegian to head Kenya Airports Authority

Norwegian Johnny Andersen is the new managing director of the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA).

Mr Andersen’s appointment by Transport Secretary James Macharia ends a protracted recruitment characterised by claims of political interference. 

The new MD trounced five other candidates, including acting managing director Yatich Kangugo, who emerged a distant fifth.

Mr Andersen scored 88 per cent, according to the ranking of the interviewing panel, while Mr Kangugo, who prior to his appointment as the acting MD was airport manager of the Moi International Airport, scored 63 points. 

Announcing the appointment today, KAA chairman Julius Karangi said Mr Andersen is a career aviation expert with over 21 years of experience. 

"Mr Andersen has a wide knowledge and experience in the aviation industry and specifically in running airport hubs across the world. He is a good fit for KAA," said Gen Karangi. 

The new CEO is a fellow at the Royal Aeronautical Society in the UK and an accredited instructor at the International Air Transport Association.

He holds a master of science degree in air transport management and a bachelor of business administration in logistics. 

The KAA board interviewed six candidates last week and submitted the names of three candidates to the CS on Saturday.

NO SUBSTANTIVE HEAD

The KAA has been without a substantive head for more than a year following the sacking of then managing director Lucy Mbugua on corruption allegations. Efforts to replace her hit a snag on three occasions.

In the earlier bungled process, the KAA had on November 20 last year advertised the managing director’s vacancy, receiving more than 120 applicants.

The KAA has also advertised the position of senior managers who have been working in acting capacity for a long time.

Mr Macharia, however, cancelled the recruitment and appointed consultancy firm PricewaterhouseCoopers to recruit afresh amid intrigues by parties with vested interests in the job.

The search for the managing director has been bungled several times on the grounds of corruption.

Former KAA chairman David Kimaiyo said there had been canvassing by State officials and some of the directors who were keen to put their cronies in the position.

Speaking in Uasin Gishu this week, Mr Kimaiyo said he was sacked as the airport agency boss because of his stand against corruption.

“I have always been against corruption in my capacity as a public officer. I was sacked at the airport after I became a stumbling block on those who were keen on cutting corrupt deals,” said Mr Kimaiyo.

Mr Andersen's appointment comes at a time when the airport is on an expansion binge. 

New terminals 1A and 1E separate the arriving passengers from departures, which is a key security requirement under international aviation standards.

The separation is expected to meet one of the conditions issued by the US Federal Aviation Administration before Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi is elevated to category 1 status, which will allow for direct flights between Kenya and the US.