Gichuki takes over from Muhoho at the KAA

By Sam Otieno

Stephen Mwangi Gichuki is the new Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) Managing Director.

Mr Gichuki’s appointment was announced by the chairman of KAA Martin Wambora in a memo sent to staff via email. Mr Wambora said acting Transport Minister Amos Kimunya had sanctioned the appointment.

He said Gichuki had been appointed for a period of three years effective April 23. He takes over from George Muhoho.

"Following the departure of Kenya Airports Authority MD George Muhoho, the acting Minister for Transport Amos Kimunya has appointed Engineer Stephen M Gichuki as the Managing Director from April 23, for a period of three years. All staff are asked to co-operate," read part of the letter.

It was copied to Permanent Secretary in the Transport ministry Cyrus Njiru and Gichuki.

The chairman of Parliamentary Committee on Transport David Were was surprised Kimunya had shown contempt and acted with impunity to appoint Gichuki. This is despite the fact that the committee tabled a report in Parliament stating the interview carried out by Muhoho was unprocedural.

"We were trying to stop the system of impunity, which is the source of corruption but unfortunately it is now clear it will not end now or in the near future," Were said.

The MP said the committee would be recalled next week to discuss the matter.

Insiders said deputy MD Mathews Wamalwa’s contract expires next month.

Last evening, Wamalwa told The Standard on Saturday that Wambora went to the airport at about mid-day in the company of the chairman of Finance department Catherine Kuria.

The memo was released to all before the two left the airport without speaking to Wamalwa.

The process of picking a new boss at KAA began following the appointment of Wambora board chairman. The position had been vacant for more than 10 months following the expiry of Erastus Mwongera’s contract.

Mr Mwongera fell out with the outgoing managing director Mr Muhoho last year after he (Mwongera) declined to renew the latter’s contract for the second time.