27/08/2026
Who Owns Kenya Airways? Full List of KQ’s Top Shareholders
Kenya Airways (KQ) is a publicly listed national carrier, with the Government of Kenya remaining its largest shareholder.
The airline is also owned by a group of lenders, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, employees and other private and institutional investors.
Kenya Airways’ Top Shareholders
1. Government of Kenya — 48.9%
The Government of Kenya, through the National Treasury, is the largest shareholder in Kenya Airways, controlling 48.9% of the airline.
2. KQ Lenders Company 2017 Ltd — 38.09%
KQ Lenders Company 2017 Limited is the second-largest shareholder, holding 2,218,310,169 shares, equivalent to 38.09%.
The company was formed by a consortium of Kenyan banks that converted loans into equity as part of Kenya Airways’ 2017 restructuring.
The lenders included Equity Bank, KCB, Co-operative Bank, NBK, DTB, SBM, NCBA, NIC, I&M Bank and Ecobank.
3. KLM Royal Dutch Airlines — 7.76%
KLM holds 451,661,470 shares, representing 7.76% of Kenya Airways.
KLM is part of the Air France-KLM group and has maintained a long-standing relationship with Kenya Airways.
4. Kenya Airways Employee Share Ownership Scheme — 2.44%
The Trustees of the Kenya Airways Employee Share Ownership Scheme 2018 hold 142,164,558 shares, equivalent to 2.44%.
The scheme holds shares allocated to Kenya Airways employees.
Other Shareholders
Other shareholders include private individuals and institutions.
*Kamau Mike Maina — 16,099,735 shares (0.27%)
*Shah Tanna, Karishma Vijay Shah-Tanna — 3,435,900 shares (0.06%)
*Galot International Limited — 2,652,370 shares (0.05%)
*Benard, Peter Wainaina — 1,195,800 shares (0.02%)
* Muhika, Peter Njenga — 1,102,400 shares (0.02%)
* Other shareholders — 110,198,108 shares (1.89%)
Who Runs Kenya Airways?
Kiprono Kittony is the chairman of the Kenya Airways Board, having taken over the position in March 2026.
Other board members include Raphael Otieno, Teresia Mbaika, Alex Mbuvi, Festus Kingori, Philip Wambugu, Christopher Buckley, Esther Koimett, Chris Diaz, David Ndii and Winnie Nyamute.
At the executive level, Captain George Kamal serves as Kenya Airways’ acting Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer. He took over after Allan Kilavuka left the position in December 2025.
Other senior executives include Hellen Mathuka, Chief Strategy & Innovation Officer; Julius Thairu, Chief Commercial & Customer Officer; and Fredrick Kitunga, Chief Information & Data Officer.
Kenya Airways Could Get New Investors
Kenya Airways is also seeking additional capital and strategic partnerships.
Chairman Kiprono Kittony has said the airline has received interest from potential investors in the United States, China, South Africa and Singapore.
For now, however, the Government of Kenya remains the largest shareholder, followed by KQ Lenders Company 2017 Ltd and KLM.
