Meet New Aviation Authority Boss Emile Arao

The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) has named Emile Nguza Rao as its incoming Director-General.

His appointment follows the completion of a recruitment process to find a replacement for Capt. Gilbert Kibe whose term expires in June. Kibe has been at the helm of KCAA since 2015.

Arao has since 2018 served as the Executive Director of the East African Community’s Civil Aviation Safety and Security Oversight Agency (CASSOA). He was previously the Deputy Executive Director (Technical) at CASSOA.

He boasts over 20 years of experience in diverse areas of the aviation sector. He is also an entrepreneur and has been involved in the establishment of over four airlines.

Arao is a Multi Instrument Commercial Pilot license holder licensed by the Federal Aviation Authority in the United States. He has flown in Africa, North  America and Europe.

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He has also worked as an Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic specializing on General Aviation aircrafts in the United States.

He holds an MBA in Aviation with a specialization in Aviation Systems Management from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) and a Bachelor of Science in Aircraft Engineering Technology, also from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University.

His stint at the helm of the regional aviation regulator saw a push for increased compliance with various standards, particularly following the onset of Covid-19 which hit the aviation sector hard.

“Investments in strengthening surveillance, building robust early-warning systems and coordinating public health responses of international airports will help to detect and respond to COVID-19 and prevent further spread,” he stated at the launch of intervention trainings for staff at the 8 international airports in the 6 EAC Partner States.

At KCAA, he will be taking charge of the regulation of the aviation industry in Kenya and provision of air navigation services in the Kenya flight region.

A notice published in dailies in February as the recruitment process begun stated that interested and qualified candidates must possess management and technical experience skill in civil aviation of not less than 10 years, five of which must be in senior positions.

“They must also demonstrate understanding of Public Finance Management Act 2012, Kenya Civil Aviation Act, 2013 and Kenya Civil Aviation Amendment Act, 2016,” it further noted.

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