About Us

Chairman

Mbuvi Ngunze

Mbuvi Ngunze serves as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of KAAO. He provides great leadership and strategic guidance in the Association’s mandate to promote, foster and protect the interests of its members. 

He is also the Chairman of: 

• Safarilink Aviation Ltd (Non-executive Chairman)

• Sustainable Power Solutions (Pty) Ltd.

• Mettle Solar Investments Pty Ltd.

• Northern Rangelands Trust

• St Andrew’s School, Turi 

Mbuvi Ngunze is on the following boards as well: 

• ARM Cement PLC

• Bamburi Cement Co. Ltd.

• JamboJet Ltd. 

• Lewa Wildlife Conservancy

Vice Chairman

Jimmy Kibati

Jimmy Kibati serves as the Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors of KAAO. He is the Managing Director of Z.Boskovic Air Charters and has a career in aviation spanning over 28 years.

He is well-grounded in the international travel industry (airports and airlines) and has held various executive positions such as:

• General Manager of Business Development and Marketing at the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA)

• Ag. Commercial Director of Kenya Airways

• Chief Commercial Officer of Virgin Nigeria

• Managing Director of Fastjet Airlines in East Africa (Fastjet Tanzania & Fastjet Kenya)

CEO

Liz Aluvanze

Liz Aluvanze serves as the Chief Executive Officer of KAAO. She leads the Associations’ Secretariat functions in its advocacy efforts for the development of a safe, efficient and sustainable air transport industry. 

She co-ordinates with stakeholders when engaging with government, legislators, regulatory bodies, financial institutions, development partners and external stakeholders on policy issues, and development plans geared towards the long-term and sustainable growth of the air transport industry in the country.

Liz brings a wealth of experience as an Air Transport professional with knowledge and skills in Air Transport Strategic Management, Engineering, Regulatory Policy and Air Law, Client Relationship Management, and Contract Negotiations. She has worked at the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) and with various airlines, including Kenya Airways and Fastjet.

Director

Simon Penfold

Simon Penfold serves as a Director of KAAO’s Board. He is the Sales Director at Scenic Air. Having over 20 years in the air transport and tourism industry, Simon brings vast experience in marketing development, business strategy, and sustainability.

Director

Mohammed Abdi

Mohamed Abdi serves as a Director of KAAO’s Board. He is the Chairman and CEO of Skyward Express. With over 25 years in the aviation industry, Mohamed brings extensive experience in business growth and development, strategic planning, cargo operations, government relations, and financial planning.

Director

Alex Avedi

Alex Avedi serves as a Director of KAAO’s Board. He is the CEO of Safarilink Aviation Ltd and the Vice-Chairman of the Kenya Tourism Federation (KTF). As an experienced Aviation Safety and Operations expert, Alex has demonstrated a history of achieving results in a highly competitive service industry. 

He has served in various executive positions such as: 

• General Manager of Operations and Safety at the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA)
• Director of Corporate Quality, Safety, Security & Environment at Kenya Airways

Director

Godwin Wachira

Godwin Wachira serves as a Director of KAAO’s Board. He is the Founder and Managing Director of Flight Training Centre (FTC). 

Godwin is a pilot by profession and has over 30 years of experience in the aviation industry. He is highly acclaimed for his dedication and service in training countless pilots.

Director

Jim Streit

Jim Streit serves as a Director of KAAO’s Board. He is the Director of Operations at African Inland Mission (AIM Air).

Director

Shakeel Khan

Shakeel Khan serves as a Director of the Kenya Association of Air Operators (KAAO) and is the CEO of Aircraft Leasing Services (ALS)

Director

Paul Antrobus

Paul Antrobus serves as a Director of the Kenya Association of Air Operators (KAAO) and is the Managing Director of Kasas Ltd.

Director

Allan Kilavuka

Allan Kilavuka serves as a director of the Kenya Association of Air Operators (KAAO) and is the Group Managing Director and CEO of Kenya Airways PLC. He has extensive experience in strategy, business development, financial leadership and planning and has held various senior leadership positions serving as CEO of Jambojet and Head of General Electric (GE) in sub-Saharan Africa.

Director

Mandeep Osahan

Mandeep Singh Osahan is the founder and MD of Helint, a premier helicopter MRO and vertical aerospace company.

As a proud Kenyan entrepreneur, he brings a wealth of regional and international experience in the aviation and allied industries.

Mandeep is a holder of a B.Eng, Hons degree in Aircraft Engineering from Kingston University, London, UK. He also holds aircraft engineering licenses from various Civil Aviation Authorities including Kenya CAA, UK CAA and FAA.

He has served in the British Army as a soldier and an aviation professional.

Director

Sanjeev Gadhia

Sanjeev Gadhia serves as a Director of the Kenya Association of Air Operators (KAAO).