KAA Board Names Nicholas Bodo As Acting Managing Director

The Kenya Airport Authority (KAA)  named Nicholas Bodo as its Acting Managing Director.

This decision follows the re-advertisement of the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer position on December 24, 2024.

KAA Chairman Caleb Kositany announced the interim appointment on December 31, 2024, stating, “To ensure a smooth transition, the Board has appointed Nicholas Bodo as Acting Managing Director, effective immediately.”

Bodo currently serves as the Director of Air Services at the Ministry of Transport.

However, the re-advertisement of the MD/CEO position has sparked criticism from legal experts, who have termed the move unconstitutional.

A group of lawyers argued that the decision undermines transparency and due process, casting doubts on the legality and fairness of the recruitment process.

“This re-advertisement blatantly disregards principles of accountability and merit-based selection as outlined in the Constitution,” the lawyers said in a statement.

KAA has not yet responded to these allegations, but the controversy has added to ongoing scrutiny over leadership transitions within state agencies.

Bodo was appointed Acting Director-General of Kenya Civil Aviation Authority in 2022 following a court order blocking the appointment of Emile Nguza Arao over allegations of abuse of office and financial misappropriation.

Henry Ogoye has been the acting MD since August 27 2023 after he was picked to replace Alex Gitari whose contract was terminated.

KAA has since July 2024 been searching for a new MD.

Until his appointment, Ogoye was the Head of Corporate Planning at the agency.

Gitari was fired alongside Engineering Services General Manager Fred Odawo.

The move followed a two-hour power blackout at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) which led to critical services being affected.

The changes announced by then Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen also saw some senior managers transferred.

To be appointed to the position, a candidate must possess a Bachelor’s degree in finance, economics, business management, marketing, statistics, engineering, social sciences or a related field from a recognized institution of higher learning and also a Master’s Degree.

They must also have a leadership course lasting not less than four weeks from a reputable institution with a certification in Aviation being an added advantage.

“Successful candidate must have a minimum of 15 years working experience, 10 of which will be in a senior management or leadership position with hands-on experience and direct responsibility for developing and implementing strategic plans, generating substantial revenues, managing significant capital and operational budgets and delivering positive cash flows and profits,” an advertisement said.

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