Kenya Airways Chief Executive Sebastian Mikosz has categorically denied social media claims alleging he earns Sh8 million monthly and that 21 expatriates collectively receive Sh70 million in salaries.
In a statement to media outlets, Mikosz revealed his actual monthly compensation amounts to Sh2.7 million, subject to a 29% income tax deduction to the Kenya Revenue Authority. He emphasized that the figures circulating online are inaccurate and misleading.
The CEO also dismissed assertions that Kenya Airways is managed by a group of 21 foreign executives, stating that only 18 expatriates are employed across the airline's over 3,000 staff. This represents 0.6% of the workforce, he noted.
Mikosz clarified that five of these foreign employees are KLM managers on secondment, with two holding senior roles as chief operating officer and head of global sales. He stressed that these individuals remain KLM employees, with their salaries and benefits covered by the Dutch airline, not Kenya Airways.
Of the airline's top 50 management positions, seven are held by foreigners, accounting for 14% of leadership roles. Mikosz highlighted that 86% of senior management consists of Kenyan nationals, with foreign staff primarily facilitating knowledge transfer in specialized areas like financial modeling and strategic project coordination.
The CEO defended two Kenyan women executives, Angela Nderu and Catherine Kamau, emphasizing their promotions were based on merit. He also addressed claims about his wife, Magda Mikosz, stating she has never worked for Deloitte Kenya and left her European partnership role to support his career in Kenya.
The controversy emerged amid strikes by the Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, where union secretary general Moss Ndiema was arrested during protests against Kenya Airways' proposed airport takeover.
