Michael Joseph, one of Kenya’s most influential business leaders, is set to retire as Board Chairman of Kenya Airways PLC, marking the end of an 8-year leadership journey.
According to a notice from the airline ahead of its 49th Annual General Meeting (AGM), scheduled for June 13, 2025, Joseph will not be seeking re-election.
Further, the notice explained that he had already attained the maximum tenure allowed by the Board Charter.
“Mr. Michael Joseph retires in accordance with Article 69 of the Company’s Articles of Association and is not eligible for re-election having attained the maximum tenure under the Board Charter,” the notice read in part.
Also Read: Michael Joseph Resigns from Safaricom Board
Michael Joseph Service at Kenya Airways
He was first appointed Chairman and Independent Non-Executive Director of the Kenya Airways Board in October 2016.
According to the national carrier, he has served with distinction through one of its most challenging and defining periods.
He is a household name in Kenya’s business scene and is best known as the founding CEO of Safaricom PLC.
He was the visionary behind the revolutionary mobile money platform M-Pesa, which transformed financial inclusion across Africa and became a global benchmark in digital finance.
Additionally, Michael Joseph is the recipient of many awards, including CEO of the year awarded by the Kenya Institute of Management.
Also, he received the Elder of the Order of the Burning Spear (an award given by the President of Kenya to those who have made a positive impact in Kenya).
Moreover, he is a keen conservationist and serves as Chairman of Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, a leading conservancy in Northern Kenya.
Also Read: Michael Joseph’s Life Outside Safaricom: Family & Education
Raphael Otieno Exits Kenya Airways
At the same time, Raphael Otieno, the Representative of the Cabinet Secretary to the National Treasury, is retiring.
This is in accordance with Article 69 of the Company’s Articles of Association.
However, being eligible, he has offered himself for re-election.
Consequently, shareholders will be allowed to elect Directors to fill the vacancies.
“Shareholders will be requested to elect the Board members at the meeting or in advance of the meeting. Names of persons nominated will be available 7 days before the AGM on the Company’s website page,” added the notice.
Additional Agenda for the Board
On the other hand, an additional agenda for the board is the re-election of members of the Audit and Risk Committee, as well as the appointment of the external auditors for the next financial year.
The current members of the Audit and Risk Committee, John Wilson, Festus Kin’gori, Mohamed Daghar (Principal Secretary, State Department of Transport), and Raphael Otieno (Representative of the Cabinet Secretary to the National Treasury), are due for retirement at the AGM.
However, all four have offered themselves for re-election. Shareholders will vote on a resolution to reinstate them to the committee, subject to the outcome of Board elections under a separate agenda item.
Additionally, the airline’s Board has proposed the appointment of M/s. PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) as external auditors.
PwC will serve until the conclusion of the next AGM, with the Board seeking shareholders’ approval to authorize directors to determine the auditors’ remuneration.
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