Kenya Airport Authority undergoes managerial overhaul

…Norwegian, John Anderson, to report as new CEO

John Anderson

Is anything wrong in appointing a foreigner for a key position as Chief Executive Officer of a black nation’s airports? Definitely yes! It means Africans aren’t capable of managing what’s theirs; that’s exactly what’s happening in Kenya and other parts of Eastern and Southern Africa.

The Kenya Airport Authority has appointed Norwegian, John Anderson, to take up the exalted post of CEO and he’s due to resume duty in a couple of weeks.

Just recently, KAA’s top two bosses and other subordinates were sent packing when they were found wanting in their responsibilities. The former CEO, Yatich Kangugo alongside AG General Manager, William Simba, bit the dust as they were, allegedly, abusing the top posts for their selfish gains.

Anderson’s appointment shows how the Authority is urgently in need of a steady hand who would usher in sanity and expertise required to steer the ship out of stormy waters and back on level keel.

There has been a total overhaul at the helm of KAA with a view to earn a good reputation and reposition the organization for business, TTW gathered. However, the Authority is still in doubt whether Anderson will assume duty or not, having delayed his arrival too long.

The mess is attributed to the government in Nairobi for sitting on information that Andersen had apparently asked for time to wind down his present position and observe resignation period requirements, leaving KAA subject to continued speculation among aviation pundits.

“Had government and board spoken up earlier about Mr. Andersen’s delayed arrival all would have been good. Treating it as a state secret only made a further mess of things and with pressure growing daily they finally owned up. What a mess, I don’t envy the man to step into that snake pit” said a regular aviation commentator from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.

KAA is not the only one undergoing managerial overhaul, the Nigeria’s Federal Airports Authority (FAAN) recently disengaged 22 GMs and AGMs and has already replaced them with new appointees.