Business Daily Business Daily meets: Allan Kilavuka
Aug 28, 2025
Allan Kilavuka, the resilient Managing Director and CEO of Kenya Airways, discusses his transformative journey leading the airline through the COVID-19 crisis. He shares insight on making tough decisions, including drastic pay cuts, to guide the company to profitability. Kilavuka's unique background as a marriage guidance counselor influences his management style, emphasizing adaptability and motivation. He highlights the crucial role of government support in recovering the airline industry and envisions a bright future for African aviation.
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Resilience Forged In Boarding School
- Allan Kilavuka grew up among tea plantations and was sent to boarding school at seven, which taught him independence and resilience.
- He says those early experiences helped him stand up to bullies and endure tough periods like COVID at Kenya Airways.
Corporate Ladder To African Startups
- Allan rose from trainee to manager at Deloitte and then helped set up GE's African operations, gaining startup and continent-wide experience.
- That background led Jambojet to hire him for his startup and Africa-business skills rather than technical aviation expertise.
From Premarital Counselling To Leadership
- Allan volunteered as a premarital counsellor in his local church, specialising in financial training for couples.
- He studied psychology partly to better understand people and improve his leadership and counselling skills.