KQ appoints new COO in restructuring efforts

Corporate News

A Kenya Airways plane at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi. PHOTO | FILE 

By MUGAMBI MUTEGI, pmutegi@ke.nationmedia.com

In Summary

• Mr Vegt joins KQ from Cobalt Ground Solutions in the UK where he is currently the managing director.
• KQ’s top managers have found themselves in a tight spot, with the Senate calling for their dismissal and Treasury linking management changes to restructuring and bailout talks.

Kenya Airways has appointed a new chief operating officer, the latest management change that the national carrier has made amid restructuring efforts.

KQ, as the airline is known by its international code, has announced that Jan de Vegt will replace Yves Guibert as its COO effective August 1.

Mr Vegt joins KQ from Cobalt Ground Solutions in the UK where he is currently the managing director. He replaces Mr Guibert who took over the job from KQ’s Mbuvi Ngunze when he was promoted to head the airline beginning November 2014.

“Kenya Airways Board has appointed Jan de Vegt as the airline’s chief operating officer from August 1. He replaces Yves Guibert who will leave the business at the end of July 2016,” the airline said in a statement.

KQ’s top managers have found themselves in a tight spot, with the Senate calling for their dismissal and Treasury linking management changes to restructuring and bailout talks.

READ: KQ safety director exit adds to list of senior staff changes

Also read: KQ senior staff changes lined up in bailout bid plans

Alex Avedi, who was also in charge of corporate quality, security and environment, recently exited the airline following disciplinary hearings instituted on him after the April KQ pilots’ strike.

Alban Mwendar, the airline’s human resource manager, has left the company amid a crippling pilots’ strike while flight operations director Paul Mwangi also recently stepped down from this managerial position.