Nicholas Bodo appointed acting KCAA director general

Nicholas Bodo

The Board of Directors of the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) has appointed Nicholas Bodo as Acting Director General following the exit of Emile Arao, whose contract lapsed on April 22, 2026.

In a statement issued by board chairman Brown Ondego, the authority said the leadership transition marks the completion of Arao’s tenure, during which he guided the regulator through a pivotal period for the aviation sector.

“The Board acknowledges with appreciation his service and contribution during his time in office,” the statement read.

Bodo’s appointment, made in consultation with the parent ministry, will see him provide oversight and continuity as the authority undertakes the recruitment of a substantive Director General.

The board said the recruitment process will be conducted through an open, transparent and competitive framework in line with established governance procedures.

Bodo's latest appointment underscores a growing reliance on his experience in stewarding aviation institutions during transitions.

This is the second time in under two years that Bodo is stepping into an acting leadership role within the sector.

On December 31, 2024, he was appointed Acting Managing Director of the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA), pending the recruitment of a substantive office holder.

The appointment was made by KAA board chair Caleb Kositany, who described Bodo as possessing “a wealth of experience in all matters of aviation.”

Prior to that role, Bodo served as Director of Air Services in the Ministry of Transport, where he was involved in shaping aviation policy and overseeing air service agreements, further cementing his credentials within the industry.

The transition comes at a time when Kenya’s aviation sector is experiencing steady recovery and growth, with increased passenger traffic and renewed focus on safety compliance and infrastructure development.

Arao was appointed Director General of KCAA in April 2022, succeeding Gilbert Kibe after his nomination by then Cabinet Secretary James Macharia.

Before joining the authority, Arao was Executive Director at the East African Community’s Civil Aviation Safety and Security Oversight Agency (EAC-CASSOA), bringing regional regulatory experience to the role.

KCAA is the statutory body mandated to regulate aviation safety and security, provide air navigation services, and promote the development of civil aviation in Kenya in line with international standards.

Its operations are guided by the Civil Aviation Act and international standards set under the Convention on International Civil Aviation, including the International Civil Aviation Organization’s recommended practices.

The authority reassured stakeholders that operations will remain uninterrupted during the transition period, emphasising its continued commitment to delivering safe, secure and efficient aviation services.