Murkomen Announces Appointment Of Ex-KAA Boss To Global Body

Transport Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kipchumba Murkomen on Tuesday, May 30 announced the appointment of former Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) Managing Director Lucy Wanjiku Mbugua as the Regional Director for the Eastern and Southern African Office at the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

Murkomen hosted Mbugua at his office and revealed in a statement that the appointment was made by the Secretary General of ICAO in concurrence with the Kenyan State.

"The Ministry of Roads and Transport is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms Lucy Wanjiku Mbugua as the Regional Director, of the Eastern and Southern African Office at the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)," stated Murkomen in part.

Former Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) Managing Director Lucy Wanjiku Mbugua at Transport CS Kipchumba Murkomen's office on May 30, 2023. /KIPCHUMBA MURKOMEN

Mbugua is an experienced aviation professional with over 25 years of experience in civil aviation as well as holding a Master’s in Aviation Strategy.

She has held leadership roles in the industry including being the CEO/Managing Director at KAA, Head of Marketing and Revenue Management at Kenya Airways and served on Airports Council International (ACI) World Standing Committees of Economics and Environment.

According to the CS, her expertise and strategic leadership has helped streamline aviation transport operations and moulded sustainable operations for Kenya’s air transport.

"The Eastern and Southern Africa Office within ICAO is primarily responsible for maintaining continuous liaison with the 24 States to which it is accredited. The Regional Director serves as the Representative of the Secretary-General to the accredited States in the Region.

"Ms Mbugua’s appointment to such a reputable global aviation body is great news for the country’s growth and development in the aviation and transport sector. It lays the foundation for further breakthroughs within our transport sector and opens the door to further recognition of our efforts to innovate and revolutionize air transport for economic transformation," added the CS.

Murkomen added that as a contracting State, Kenya remains committed to discharging its obligations to ICAO in line with the provisions of the Chicago Convention, and to playing a leading role in furthering ICAO’s strategic goal of ensuring an efficient, safe, secure and sustainable global aviation industry.

Mbugua's new appointment adds to an increase in women ascending to top positions across the country, even in the circles of aviation mostly known to be a male-dominated field.

On Thursday, May 4, Engineer Liz Aluvanze was appointed as the Director of the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA), a role which complements her other one as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Kenya Association of Air Operators (KAAO).

She took over KAAO on September 26, 2022, from Colonel (Rtd) Eutychus Waithaka who proceeded to retire after spending 25 years at the helm of the association.

She has vast experience as a versatile air transport professional with knowledge and skills in Air Transport Strategic Management, Air Transport Engineering, Regulatory Policy and Air Law.