Norwegian appointed to head Kenya Airports Authority

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JKIA-TERMINAL-1ANorwegian Jonny Andersen has been appointed the New Managing Director of the Kenya Airports Authority effective immediately.

Making the announcement KAA New Chairperson Retired General Julius Karangi says Andersen performed the best out of the six names presented to the board by PriceWaterHouse Coopers. This brings the search of the new MD to an end since the sacking of Lucy Mbugua back in June 2015.

Among the six names on the list include Joseph Kimote, James Kibati, Muriithi Ndegwa, Kirua Kipkomei and Yatich Kangugo who has been serving as the acting Managing Director of the Authority. James Kibati and Muriithi Ndegwa were among the top three contenders.

“The Selection process was rigorous with many interviews, PWC searched for both local and international talent to bring the best manager,” Karangi said.

The Authority has also advertised for other top management positions that are still held in acting capacities.

Andersen, who was not present during the announcement, has been acting as the Director of National Airports at Avinor AS, a state-owned firm that manages six airports in Norway. He has a 21 career experience managing airports in Norway, Denmark and Latvia.

The recruitment process was first advertised on November 19, 2015 in mainstream media and on local and international job websites. KAA fired three senior managers including the then Managing Director Lucy Mbugua, General Manager of Finance John Thumb and the acting airport Engineer Christopher Warutere over the Passenger Transfer service tender at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport Scam.

The appointment comes after ex-military boss Julius Karangi was named as the KAA Chairman to replace David Kimaiyo whose appointment had been revoked.

The KAA had previously provided three names to Transport Cabinet Secretary James Macharia to fill the crucial position in which Yatich Kagungo has been acting since March last year.

Macharia said the process had been interfered with, raising doubts on the credibility of the anticipated outcome resulting to a fresh recruitment process by PricewaterhouseCoopers, a professional services consultancy.

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