New Team

President and Co-founder

President and Co-founder

Una Gertrude Odhiambo

Flight Dispatcher
Co founder Women In Aviation Kenya Chapter.
President Women in Aviation Kenya Chapter. Member IFALDA and KAFDA. Operations Manager at Airkenya Express Ltd. With 14 years experience in aviation. Graduated with BBM in Aviation Management. Mentors young girls in aviation.

One dazzling Friday morning we had an educational tour to Eldoret International Trip for computer science students while in High School. Indeed it was a story of killing two birds with one stone. I was fascinated when I saw big cargo planes parked at the ramp. We had gone to learn more about mainframe computers, but my focus changed to Aircraft…”Love at first sight” This was my path into the aviation industry.

I went to Skypath Aviation College where I pursued Advanced Diploma in Flight Operations and Dispatch for two years. After a week I landed a job in Tanzania as a Flight Dispatcher. My experience in Dar es Salaam was entrancing; I had amazing opportunities at my youthful age but not to say I did not face challenges.

The aviation industry in Africa and more specifically East Africa had not budded and hence opportunities for growth. Again a door opened for me to progress and learn more on Aviation Management. Enrolled for Bachelor in Aviation Management – Moi university. Again it was four years of great knowledge, practical experience and having a wide spectrum of what it means by running an airline, Regulatory aspect and how I could contribute in the growth of aviation.

After graduating from Moi University, my friend Fiona Omondi and I began this journey of exploring more into aviation and creating awareness to those not privileged to know what careers are in aviation and what it takes for them to pursue such careers after high school.

We learned about Women in Aviation and strategized on using this vehicle to mentor young men and Women and especially young girls to pursue careers in aviation. We were later joined by other professionals in reaching out to young girls and boys.

I can say I’m successful when I’m able to hold the hand of that young girl dreaming to become a pilot, Flight dispatcher, Engineer, Cabin crew, Safety and security personnel realize their dream through mentorship programs and educative events organized by Women in Aviation. When members get scholarship opportunities and have their lifetime career growth and great experience, I feel I have accomplished.

I advocate for young girls to take up careers in aviation industry for there is a gap that needs to be filled.

My job as an Operations Manager is quite challenging yet fulfilling especially when a service has been provided satisfactorily and in a safe way. I have almost 10 years’ experience as a flight dispatcher, it is a thrilling and exciting career.

Vice President and Co-founder

Vice President and Co-founder

Fiona Omondi

Vice President & Co-founder
Fiona Omondi is an enthusiastic Aviator, currently Head of Business Development & Projects at Tradewinds Aviation Services Ltd, a privately owned Ground Handling company operating in the Kenyan aviation industry.

Financier

Financier

Mary Mukulu Kai

One day while pursuing my college degree I received an email informing me that I was short listed for a scholarship that I had applied for.  Three candidates had been shortlisted and we were going to be interviewed during the annual conference that was held in Nashville, Tennessee, to determine the recipient of the scholarship.

The organization was going to pay for my accommodation and meals but I had to find my way to the conference. The good news was that the university I attended had a chapter and they were willing to give me a ride to the conference. I was really excited to hear about the news. Attending the conference for Women in Aviation, International increased my love for Aviation and started my journey as a WIA member. I won the Airbus leadership award/scholarship and the following year AOPA scholarship.

I received my undergraduate degree in B.Sc. in Aeronautics-Aviation Management together with my FAA CPL Multi with an Instrument Rating; from St. Louis University. I managed to convert my license to a Kenyan License.

I flew a LET 410 for a company called Aero Kenya at Wilson Airport. At Kenya Airways I joined as a second officer on the Boeing 737 and graduated to a first officer once I finished my training. I flew the Boeing 767 and 777 as a first officer. I became a Captain and flew a Boeing 737. I flew for the airline for thirteen years and I loved the time I was there and I cherish the experience I received with the Pride of Africa.

I graduated with a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) a few years later from University of Leicester.

Fiona and Una approached me while I was a first officer on the B77, with an idea to start a WIAI, Kenyan chapter. This was the beginning of my journey with the Kenyan Chapter. I love to mentor young girls who want to pursue a career in aviation.

One of my highlights as a WAI, Kenyan chapter member was during our first Girls in Aviation Day. We had taken the girls to the Jomo Kenyatta ATC Tower and after a detailed tour one of the girls approached me and asked, “What can I do to become one of those people?” and she pointed out to an Air Traffic Controller. At that moment I felt my work has been done. We have managed to motivate one girl. Yes!!!!!!!!

I took a nine month course called Female Future in conjunction with Norwegian and Kenyan government. This course challenged us to maximize on our potential and this caused me to venture out into running our charter company at Wilson Airport. I am loving this space and looking forward to see what else the future holds

Chairperson

Chairperson

Irene Koki Mutungi

Airline Captain
A member of Women In aviation International since1998 to date Capt. Koki has been a focal point in mentorship of young girls in Aviation. Is a professional pilot in Kenya, she was the first female on the African continent to become certified as a Captain of the Boeing 787 “Dreamliner” aircraft

She flies for Kenya Airways, the national airline of Kenya.

At the age of 17 years, she enrolled in flight school at Nairobi’s Wilson Airport, where she obtained her Private Pilot’s License. She continued her pilot education in Oklahoma City in the United States where she was awarded the Commercial Pilot’s License, by the Federal Aviation Authority.

She returned to Kenya in 1995 did some flying for General Aviation and was then hired by Kenya Airways, as their first female pilot. She was the only female pilot at the airline for the next six years. In 2004, she became the first African woman to qualify to captain a commercial aircraft, when she qualified to command the Boeing 737. She has since qualified to command the Boeing 767. She then took the conversion course which allowed her to transition to commanding a Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Kenya Airways then promoted her to Captain of the B787, making her the first African female Boeing 787 Captain in the world. Her employer made that announcement on 15 April 2014.

Her motivation to become a commercial pilot was developed when she was five years old, by observing her father, a pilot for Kenya Airways at that time. Captain Mutungi, who is the mother of one son born circa 2006, enjoys flying and mentoring others, especially female pilots. In September 2014, Mutungi was one of 39 pilots at Kenya Airways, out of a total of 530 and she was the designated Captain on the Nairobi to Paris route on the B787.

She is a mother to two amazing boys and in December 2014, was named among “The 20 Youngest Power Women In Africa 2014”, by Forbes Magazine. She was also ranked in the Top Forty under Forty since the inception of the award, for 5 consecutive years.

Patron

Patron

Hon John Ogutu Omondi

A passionate Aviator, Women and Girls’ Empowerment Champion!!!

WAI-Kenya Chapter PATRON Hon John Ogutu Omondi has been a member of  Women in Aviation International since 2005 and a founder member of WAI Kenya chapter since 2012.

He is the former Member of National assembly for Embakasi East constituency, and  the Co-founder of Tradewinds Aviation Services with a strong background in Passenger Handling spanning to over 30 years. With experience working with Executive jet and Pan AM Airlines, he founded a Ground Handling company at JKIA named Peck Air, and  later merged with Barry Tomlinson to form Tradewinds Aviation Services some 15 years ago.

Secretary

Secretary

Primerose Njeri

Former Chairperson

Former Chairperson

Loise Njoroge

Loise is currently the acting State Safety Program Coordinator at Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA). Before her transfer to the Aviation Safety & Regulation Directorate, she was a Senior Air Traffic Controller at KCAA with 12 years’ experience in Aerodrome, Approach procedural and Approach Radar control.

She is also the CANSO (Civil Aviation Navigation Services Organization) Focal Point for KCAA where she provides a crucial link between the organization, industry stakeholders and the Authority. She graduated in 2016 with an M.Sc. in Aeronautics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) in Florida, specializing in Aerospace/Aviation Safety Systems. While studying for her masters, she won several awards including the ERAU Chief academic officer’s top 10 award, the Boeing career enhancement scholarship, Airbus Leadership Grant for exemplary community leadership (both courtesy of WAI) and the Jacque Burdette scholarship from Professional Women Controllers Inc.

Loise previously worked at the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) on an International Aviation Women Association (IAWA) Scholarship from October 2017 – June 2018.  She started her assignment in ICAO’s Eastern and Southern African Regional Office in Nairobi in order to become acquainted with the work of ICAO in the region.  She then moved to ICAO Headquarters in Montreal, where she worked in the Airspace Management and Optimization Section (AMO) in the Air Navigation Bureau.

Loise is passionate about Aviation and is involved in mentorship programs in girls’ secondary schools in Kenya to encourage more girls aspire for careers in aviation by exposing them to female pilots, engineers, controllers, etc. She served as the outreach chair (2015-2018) and the Chairlady (2019) for Women In Aviation International (WAI) – Kenya Chapter and was also the Vice President- Technical & Operations for the Kenya Air Traffic Controllers’ Association. (2015-2017)

Social Media and Communication’s Expert

Social Media and Communication’s Expert

Frank Nyawa

A Pilot & a PR strategist
My journey as a pilot came to reality when I met Capt. Mary Kai, a 737 former KQ Captain, who is also a member of WAI Kenya.
I met Capt. Mary while doing a PR job for a business forum & when I registered her details, I found out that she was a senior pilot for Kenya Airways.

That was way back but to cut the long story short she found out that I couldn’t afford to pay for my flying and she decided to help me by registering me in WAI with the aim of applying for a scholarship. As a WAI member in Kenya Chapter, I volunteered to be the social media strategist and created and managed all their social media platforms (to date 😉).
I applied for scholarships but sadly Didn’t get any however I met so many pilots who together with Captain Mary started mentoring me. Notably was Capt. Koki, 787 KQ Captain & my Capt. Rye Thompson, 747 Pilot of United Airlines.

The dream became much more real when I met Rye Thompson who took a lot of of his time to help me actualize it. Rye Thompson enrolled me at FTC, Wilson Airport, paid for my ground school and bought me the entire pilot kit & from there the rest is history. Got a job as marketing manager for Magna Kenya & used most of my earnings to pay for my flying. I later joined Select Aviation in Canada then Flyby in Spain.

PS: I work for Flyby as their admissions officer in Africa. If you want to get your EASA ATPL you can write to me via frank.nyawa@flybyschool.com / +254706283428

I’m currently a commercial pilot with my PR degree. Last year my instructor from FTC, Capt. Charles Kariuki & I decided to start a charter company/training place for aspiring pilots who can’t afford flying the conventional way. It’s still in the early stages and we have students as well. We are located at Wilson Airport, next to Nairobi Flying Services. Watch out for Ace Aviation.

Lastly I would like thank Capt. Mary Kai for her mentorship and most importantly enrolling me to WAI where I met Capt. Rye Thompson who is one of more of a brother and family to me. Not forgetting Capt. Koki and Loise who encouraged me during my early stages as a pilot student. Let’s not forget the president of WAI Kenya Chapter, Unah Getrude, who always gave me a listening ear throughout my student life as a pilot & was always ready to network me with like-minded pilots.

Blessings S. S. Syombua

A 25 year old aircraft technician(avionics) trained in the East African School of Aviation, Kenya and currently pursuing a top up degree in Production and Technology in Denmark.

A member of the executive who is passionate and driven towards aviation and especially in mentoring girls. Aviation is her life. Favorite brands being Airbus and Boeing, that’s where she looks forward to work and grow.

Cindy

There was a time I gave up on my dream, honestly I really didn’t see how I’d get here. One factor that led to my lack of hope is that I was interacting with the wrong group. Sharing my dreams and hopes with the wrong people and in return getting a whole lot of discouragement and negative feedback.

Then I attended my first GIAD event (2016) and the spark was ignited again. Interacting and talking to people who shared my passion gave me hope. On way to stay motivated and keep your desire burning is to have the right people around you. People who get what you are going through, people who have been in a similar situation and people who have achieved that which most may term impossible. Iv come to learn that where there is a will there is a way, for the universe always falls in love with a stubborn heart.

Faith Syovata

Faith Syovata joined WAI as a university student and has been a member since late 2014. She currently serves as the treasurer in the WAI_Kenya chapter.

She studied Civil Aviation as part of her undergraduate degree, with a keen interest in flight operations. She has worked with the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority and continues to be passionate about aviation. She is actively involved in mentorships programs that work with young girls especially from disadvantaged backgrounds in providing better opportunities.

Her hobbies include, playing the violin and chess.

Maureen Atieno Okoth

Maureen WAI 55908 joined WAI in 2013 and currently serving as the WAI-Kenya Membership Chairperson (having previously held a role as the Chapter’s Secretary while still a college student). She works as an Aircraft Technician with Kenya Airways.

Maureen is WAI’s 2018 scholarship recipient of the Bonita Jean-Olson memorial scholarship that has enabled her pursue her aircraft maintenance license certifications.

Maureen grew up with aspirations to be an aviatrix and to travel the world. She stumbled upon a career in Aircraft Maintenance and Engineering because of her love for Airplanes and Science-a career which she enjoys and has found great fulfillment in amidst all the trials and tribulations that comes with pursuing such a career and working in a male dominated career. WAI has not only been a great source of inspiration but she also found amazing mentors, mentees and a great family of like-minded individuals-her favorite thing about WAI is and will always be GIAD! In her own words “I can never sleep the night before GIAD, as a young girl I always dreamt of such an opportunity-so for me this is more than just a day, it is a special exciting time of the year because on this day some girls dreams come alive!”

Maureen’s aspiration in life is inspiring young girls and her peers (both male and female) to go after their dreams especially in STEM Aviation careers and to shutter the glass ceiling, biggest motivation in life is the Bible and favorite quote is by Amelia Earhart:

“What do dreams know of boundaries?”

Mahek Shah

As they say “in life you are either a passenger or a pilot, it’s your choice.” I chose to be the pilot and not the passenger because I don’t want to watch a difference being made, I want to be the reason and the person who makes the difference.

I am an aviation lover and I very much support gender equality. When I last went on a flight a few years back, the pilots would stand outside and greet us and all flights, and both the pilots were men.

Jambo! My name is Mahek Shah and I am a 15-year-old aviation enthusiast living in Kenya. I was really shocked when I was told that I am the youngest member WAI had. I want this to change. I want more girls to be exposed & aware about not only the pilot career but the aviation industry.

When I began researching I found out that only 3-6% of the pilots in the world are female. When I researched the cause of this, I found out that most women are not exposed to the aviation careers and most families want their girls to take up “women like careers.”

Because of the love I have for aviation – specifically the Pilot Career, I chose my school project to be called Wings for Women. Wings for Women based in Mombasa, Kenya is an initiative where we spread awareness about the pilot career to teenage girls.

This project caused me to research a lot and this is where I found Women in Aviation international. And I immediately I joined it. #GIAD2018 was one of the best experiences ever for me. We- the Kenya family of women in aviation had first-hand experience to how JKIA works behind the scenes. We also got to meet a lot of amazing women with different professions in aviation and they inspired us to be the best version of our selves. This experience for sure has inspired all the girls to take on a career or the other in the industry.

I had A LOT of fun, I learnt A LOT and most importantly I officially joined the Kenyan family of WAI!! I am also very happy to say that this experience has motivated me to make my Wings For Women project even bigger and better. I am proud to be #iamwai. It is true when Raymonde De Laroche said that “flying is the best possible thing for women.”