Nairobi News

His tenure at the helm of Kenya Airways has earned him friends and foes alike.

Enemies because of the inconsistent performance of the national carrier and friends for steering KQ’s revenue to approximately Sh90 billion, growing passenger numbers and doubling the fleet to 42.

When he took over KQ in 2003, profits were under Sh500 million but a year, later they jumped to Sh2 billion.

Under his leadership, KQ has become the first airline in the region to join Sky Team global alliance as well as a leading example of a private enterprise.

At the Airline Strategy Awards held in London last year, Mr Naikuni received the Airline Business Award which distinguishes an individual who has made a lasting contribution to the air transport business.

The Harvard Business School Management Development Programme graduate did his first degree in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Nairobi.

He joined Magadi Soda in 1979 as a trainee engineer before becoming managing director in 1995.

Between 1999 and 2001, he was a member of World Bank sponsored technocrats known as the Dream Team engaged by President Moi to turn around the ailing economy.

At one time, he served as a Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Transport and Communications.

In 2001, he returned to Magadi Soda where he continued to serve as managing director before being appointed Kenya Airways CEO in February 2003.

He will retire at end of this year after steering KQ for 11 years and making it one of the leading Sub-Saharan operators ranked fourth on the continent by seat capacity.