Kenya's Jambojet Appoints Ayisi Makatiani as New Board Chairman
In a significant development for the aviation industry, Jambojet, a leading regional airline, has appointed Ayisi Makatiani as its new Board Chairman, effective November 17, 2025. This appointment marks a pivotal moment for the company, as Makatiani takes the reins from Vincent Rague, who has been in the role since December 2014. With a rich background in governance and a strong engineering foundation, Makatiani is poised to drive Jambojet's growth and innovation.
Makatiani, a seasoned leader and MIT-trained electrical and electronics engineer, brings a wealth of experience to the table. As the CEO and Co-founder of Caava Group and Executive Chairman of Turnkey Africa, he has a proven track record in the corporate world. His previous board roles include Barclays Bank Kenya (now Absa Bank Kenya) and Kenya Airways PLC, where he played a crucial role in establishing Jambojet and serving as its founding Chairman. This appointment signifies a return to his roots, as Makatiani's leadership will focus on expanding regional connectivity, enhancing the customer experience, and reinforcing Jambojet's commitment to safety and reliability.
Jambojet's CEO and Managing Director, Karanja Ndegwa, expressed his enthusiasm for Makatiani's return, highlighting the synergy between his entrepreneurial vision and the airline's heritage. Ndegwa stated, 'His leadership will accelerate our next phase in expanding regional connectivity, elevating the customer experience, and strengthening our safety and reliability.'
Makatiani himself emphasized the significance of this appointment, stating, 'Stepping into this role is both an honour and a great responsibility. Jambojet has transformed regional aviation over the past decade, and my goal is to build on that legacy by making travel even more affordable, reliable, and sustainable for our customers across East Africa. When I first got on the board, my goal was to start, and now, it is to scale.'
The airline also paid tribute to outgoing Chairman Vincent Rague and non-executive director Caroline Armstrong for their invaluable contributions. Under their leadership, Jambojet achieved remarkable milestones, including network expansion, strong passenger growth, and a sustained 12% annual growth rate. During their tenure, Jambojet grew to dominate Kenya's domestic market, facilitating access to air travel for over nine million passengers.
As Jambojet embarks on this new chapter, the aviation industry eagerly anticipates the positive impact of Makatiani's leadership. With his expertise and vision, Makatiani is poised to propel Jambojet to new heights, solidifying its position as a leading regional airline.
