PwC to submit six names to KAA board this week

Kenya Airports Authority chairman David Kimaiyo. Mr Kimaiyo confirmed to the Nation that auditing firm PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC) would submit a list of six names this week to the KAA board for interviews for the position of managing director. PHOTO | HABIL EVANS | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Mr Kimaiyo said the process was to start on May 13 but was delayed by lack of quorum among board members, confirming the Nation’s report on the hitch last week.

  • A source from PWC, who could not be mentioned because of confidentiality reasons, confirmed that the six names would be handed over next week.

  • Transport Cabinet Secretary (CS) James Macharia confirmed that he would appoint a new managing director from the three names submitted to him before the end of the month.

The Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) board will receive six names of applicants for the position of managing director this week, bringing closer the process of appointing a substantive head after many delays attributed to vested interests.

KAA chairman David Kimaiyo confirmed to the Nation that auditing firm PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC) would submit the list this week, denying reports that names of those short-listed had already been submitted.

“We expect to receive the names this week to enable us to conduct the interviews as we seek to have a substantive head before end month,” said Mr Kimaiyo. 

Mr Kimaiyo said the process was to start on May 13 but was delayed by lack of quorum among board members, confirming the Nation’s report on the hitch last week.

“This is a sensitive process that requires the presence of nearly all the board members and that is why we deferred it from last week as nearly half of the members were away,” he said.

A source from PWC, who could not be mentioned because of confidentiality reasons, confirmed that the six names would be handed over next week.

Transport Cabinet Secretary (CS) James Macharia confirmed that he would appoint a new managing director from the three names submitted to him before the end of the month.

“I will appoint the new managing director in about two days after receiving the names from the board of management,” said Mr Macharia.

He confirmed that the names of the short-listed candidates would be submitted to the KAA board for interview this week, a move that would give the authority a substantive head after a one-year wait following the suspension of the previous boss.

The move would bring to an end the long search for KAA chief that has been the subject of vested interests that at one point saw the CS cancel the process and appoint PWC to conduct the exercise.

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

The ministry, however, cancelled the recruitment amid intrigues by parties with interests in the job.

Mr Macharia said the process of formalising the appointment of about 13 other senior managers who are currently acting would start shortly after a new chief executive assumes office.

The new holder of the office will be coming at a time when the airport is undertaking expansion as it targets 20 million passengers every year.

KAA has so far opened two new terminals to cater for the increased number of travellers.

Kenya is also targeting direct flights to America this year after it missed the previous audits by the Federal Aviation Authority.

The US authority is expected in the country any time to conduct another review.

The authority’s key projects include plans to more than double the parking and access fees at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to maximise revenue from the facility, which is currently undergoing massive expansion.