How Kenya Airways CEO & 4 Business Leaders Redefined Success In 2025

Kenya Airways CEO Allan Kilavuka has emerged as one of the standout winners at the TUKO.co.ke Business Leaders Awards 2025, with the airline taking home the Sustainability and Climate Resilience Award.

The award by Kenya’s leading digital news platform comes at a time the national airline is taking a bold approach to the future of aviation, integrating profitability with sustainability. The airline is focusing on a business model that balances commercial growth with environmental responsibility.

In its first-ever standalone, externally verified 2024 Sustainability Report, the national carrier highlighted how sustainability is being woven into every aspect of its operations, from fuel and waste management to employee diversity and technological innovation.

Central to its strategy is a commitment to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, with concrete milestones set for 2030. A major part of this effort is heavy investment in Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), a cleaner alternative to conventional jet fuel. Kenya Airways aims to reach a 10% SAF blend by 2030.

Collage of business leaders recognised in the TUKO.co.ke Business Awards 2025. /TUKO

In October 2025, the airline partnered with Kenyan company Bleriot SAF to establish the country’s first local SAF production facility in Kwale County, capable of producing 400 tonnes annually. The initiative is expected to reduce the airline’s carbon footprint, create jobs, and increase tree cover through energy seed crop cultivation on degraded lands.

The airline’s sustainability efforts have earned international recognition. At the 2024 SkyTeam Aviation Challenge in Jeddah, Kenya Airways won the Best Approach to Scaling SAF award and the Best Scaled Catering Solution award for reducing single-use plastics on board. 

Plastic cutlery has been replaced with bamboo alternatives, and aluminium food containers and traditional African bread baskets have been introduced in economy class, expected to eliminate 24 tonnes of plastic waste annually.

Kenya Airways also runs a plastic-to-diesel conversion plant for ground equipment and follows a strict waste management approach based on the 5Rs: Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Recover. Single-use plastics have been banned, nearly half of the waste is recycled, and flight food scraps are converted into animal feed.

According to Kilavuka, these initiatives reflect the airline’s commitment to sustainability, innovation, and meaningful change for both the aviation industry and the planet.

The awards, which celebrate organisations and executives driving Kenya’s economic future, recognise businesses going beyond profits to focus on purpose-driven growth and community impact.

The country’s improving economic climate, marked by falling inflation and better access to credit, has provided fertile ground for companies to innovate and invest in people, purpose, and planet.

“Our goal is to use a 10% Sustainable Aviation Fuel blend by 2030. We are also working on building Kenya’s first SAF production facility and are proud to be recognised with the “Best Approach to Scaling SAF” award,” Kilavuka remarked.

Besides Kilavuka, other winners making waves included:

• Ashish Malhotra, CEO of Airtel Kenya – Innovation and Impact Award
  Airtel Kenya continues to bridge the digital divide through initiatives like the Adopt a School Programme with UNICEF, providing over 100,000 students with access to online learning tools.
  “‘We recognise that the real power of technology lies in preparing future generations to fully harness its potential,’’ said Malhotra.

• Dr. Gamaliel Hassan, CEO of Stima Sacco – Youth Empowerment & Inclusive Growth Award
  Stima Sacco empowers young Kenyans through accessible asset financing, mortgage solutions, and investment options offering up to 16% returns.
  “We continue to sponsor the education of young people who show exceptional potential and commitment to growth,’’ said Hassan.

• Carolyne Nekesa, Head of Marketing at Minet Kenya – Community Engagement Excellence Award
  Minet Kenya has redefined corporate community engagement through initiatives like the Blooming Mums Club, supporting maternal wellness, mental health, and financial literacy.
  “We understand that beyond physical wellness, mental and emotional health are vital for thriving families and workplaces, and we go beyond our core business to create experiences that affirm and uplift…’’ said Nekesa.

• Peter Murungi, Managing Director at Vivo Energy Kenya – Sustainability and Climate Resilience Award
  Vivo Energy Kenya is accelerating clean energy adoption with LPG and solar solutions, powering schools, health centres, and small enterprises in off-grid communities.

Jacob Otieno, Managing Editor at TUKO.co.ke, praised the winners, saying, “This campaign shows that innovation and resilience are vital in uncertain times, and stories of this year’s nominees will inspire the next generation of Kenyan business visionaries.”

These leaders set a benchmark for future generations, showing that sustainable, inclusive, and purpose-driven business is the key to Kenya’s economic growth.

The TUKO.co.ke Business Leaders Awards 2025 shone a spotlight on and celebrated the resilient and socially impactful Kenyan businesses that continue to redefine success by investing in people, purpose, and planet. 

According to a press release, the team selected the nominees based on internal research highlighting the most innovative and successful companies across the country.