Fahari Innovation Hub

🚀Last week, I had the incredible opportunity to engage and facilitate a session with the Manager 101 cohort on one of my favorite topics — #Innovation, with a special focus on #DesignThinking. In a fast-evolving world, it’s not just about managing people and processes — it’s about unlocking potential, fostering creativity, and solving problems with empathy at the core. We walked through: ✅ The mindset behind design thinking ✅ Why curiosity is a leadership superpower ✅ How reframing challenges opens up real solutions ✅ Prototyping fast and learning quicker The energy in the room was amazing — proof that when managers embrace innovation, they don’t just lead teams… they inspire transformation. 💡 To the amazing cohort — thank you for the questions, insights, and your willingness to think differently. At Kenya Airways we are building a culture where innovation isn’t just encouraged, it’s embedded in how we lead. #Innovation #DesignThinking #Leadership #Manager101 #humanCenteredDesign #CultureOfInnovation #EmpathyInLeadership

You didn’t know chaos until you’ve tried planning a week-long event. Emails flying, phones buzzing, suppliers calling, panelists confirming (then rescheduling), and last-minute surprises that make you question everything. Oh, and did I mention the tent fell? Yep. But like true innovators, we turned “collapse” into “comeback.” But somehow… we did it. And we did it WELL. Kenya Airways Innovation Week was a beautiful whirlwind of ideas, connections, and next-level collaboration. Behind the scenes? A powerhouse team that made the magic happen. Huge shoutout to my incredible colleagues, Susan Nambusi Eng.Henry Mwendia, PMP® Linda Okolo-Maruti, (M.A) Jessica Ocham Nancy Muthoni Lois Mbewa @janet kiambuthi Phoebe A. and many others who showed up with heart, hustle, and humor. From concept to curtain call, we planned, we executed, we problem-solved in real time. Seeing it all come together, the speakers, the panels, the energy in the room, was a reminder that when great minds align, innovation truly takes flight. #KenyaAirwaysInnovationWeek #TeamworkMakesTheDreamWork #EventPlanningChronicles #AviationInnovation #FahariAviation #CreativeChaos #BehindTheScenes #WeDidThat #ResilientAndReady

Innovation on a Budget: Frugal Solutions for Big Problems This past week, I had the privilege of joining our CEO Allan Kilavuka and fellow colleagues in launching the Kenya Airways Innovation week. As I gave my key-note address, I took a moment to pause, reflect, and share how we’ve been reimagining what’s possible when resources are limited but ambition is not. One quote that continues to resonate deeply with me is from Navi Radjou, a leading voice in innovation: “Constraints foster resourcefulness, self-sufficiency, and invention.” I’ve seen this come to life time and time again at KQ. We don't slow down when the going gets tough—we get smarter. Whether it’s building our K-iPAL intelligent assistant in-house, modernizing our app into a customer-centric digital storefront, or creating a 360° view of our passengers through the Unified Passenger Traveler platform—our mindset is simple:  * Use what we have.  * Co-create with purpose.  * Learn fast, then scale. What drives all this? Data and AI, yes—but more than that, it’s our people. Our digital transformation isn’t about flashy tools or billion-shilling systems. It’s about practical, impactful innovation that makes life easier for our passengers and teams. Some personal highlights that make me very proud of my team include: •    Cutting response times with real-time customer insights •    Boosting security through AI in our SOC (and reducing threat dashboards by 30%) •    Using AI to coach, not replace—helping teams be more effective every day •    And most importantly, keeping the customer at the center of everything One of the principles I deeply believe in—and one we’ve embraced at Kenya Airways—is from the book Working Backwards: “We start with the customer and work backwards” But here’s the twist - “we don’t do this in a boardroom alone. We do it together- with our teams, and with our customers” Truth is, learning compounds, and when you’re solving real problems for real people, even small innovations can move mountains. Here's to bold thinking, brave teams, and the beauty of building with purpose. Let’s continue to turn constraints into launch pads. #KQInnovation #FrugalInnovation #DigitalTransformation #CustomerExperience #AI #Leadership #Aviation #DataDrivenDecisions #PurposeDrivenTech #InnovationMindset #KenyaAirways #CIOInsights Mwariri Hellen Tom Shivo George I. Kamal Hawkins M Wambua Haig Anyonyi Mary Mwenga Fahari Aviation

"Innovation is not a one-time event — it’s a daily mindset.”  As we look back on an incredible Kenya Airways Innovation Week 2025, our hearts are full of gratitude and excitement for the future! A big THANK YOU to our top leadership led by our MD & CEO Mr. Allan Kilavuka for championing a culture where innovation can truly thrive. Your support and vision created the perfect environment for bold ideas and fresh thinking to take flight. To all the brilliant minds who participated; your #energy, #creativity, and #collaboration were inspiring. And to everyone who showed up, engaged, and supported the sessions—thank you for being part of this journey. Let’s take the lessons, the sparks of creativity, and the spirit of Innovation Week into our everyday work. The real magic happens when we put ideas into action one step at a time. Wishing you all a joyful, productive, and blessed week ahead! Let’s keep the momentum going.

We jumped into Day 4 of Kenya Airways Innovation Week 2025 on a high note! Our Hackathon teams brought the energy as they presented their brilliant solutions to our senior leadership. After a day of diving into real business challenges and crafting forward-thinking ideas, today was all about shining bright. The teams wowed us with their creativity, teamwork, and unstoppable spirit of innovation! To top it all off, we crowned the winning team of the Hackathon —congratulations to the champions who truly raised the bar! 

Today we held a hackathon and teams of brilliant minds sprang into action, tackling real-world business challenges with nothing but tight timelines, bold ideas, and a shared drive to make a difference. The energy, collaboration, and creative problem-solving on display have been nothing short of inspiring. Tomorrow, the big reveal awaits—when teams showcase their prototypes and game-changing solutions. We’re excited to witness the innovation they've unleashed, because at Kenya Airways, innovation isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a way of life.

Day 3 launched with an energizing start as Fredrick Kitunga, our Chief Information and Data Officer, delivered inspiring opening remarks that set a dynamic tone for a day focused on practical, impactful innovation. A standout moment was Timothy Muchai’s compelling session on Frugal Innovation in IT. As Chief Production Officer at SunCulture, Timothy shared valuable insights, emphasizing that true innovation isn’t about abundant resources; it’s about maximizing what you have. By pinpointing key challenges and aligning with genuine needs, he illustrated how sustainable, effective solutions can emerge even under constraints. A thought-provoking and motivating highlight for anyone passionate about driving meaningful change in the IT space! #KQInnovationWeek2025 #FrugalInnovation #Teamwork #InnovationInAction #KeepPushingBoundaries

Day 2 of #InnovationWeek has been nothing short of inspiring. Our colleagues at Kenya Airways had the opportunity to participate in a thought-provoking Masterclass led by Gary Wicks, Principal Innovation Architect at Airbus. The session focused on Frugal Innovation; the art of doing more with less and explored how resource-conscious thinking can lead to impactful, practical solutions in fast-changing environments. Just like the Fahari Innovation Hub, which serves as a springboard for new ideas and a centre for strategic innovation, this session created space for collaboration, co-creation, and fresh thinking. It reinforced the power of innovative mindsets in solving real-world challenges both within our business and in the broader society. As we move through the week, the momentum continues to build. The energy, creativity, and curiosity sparked so far are a testament to our commitment to continuous learning and innovation. Let’s keep the ideas flowing!

Did you know that our used Embraer seat covers are transformed into these stunning, eco-friendly bags?  Through our MAMA RASILIMALI PROGRAM initiative in partnership with Essenspark Limited , we’re not just upcycling materials—we're uplifting communities. This program brings together talented women from underserved areas, giving them the opportunity to create these unique bags while gaining economic empowerment. We were proud to showcase these incredible products at the recently concluded #MagicalKenyaOpen at Muthaiga Golf Club! #SustainableFashion #EmpoweringCommunities #CircularEconomy #MagicalKenyaOpen

Innovation Meets Sustainability! ✈️♻️ At Fahari Innovation Hub, we’re giving new life to aviation materials! Our used Embraer seat covers have been transformed into unique laptop sleeves and bags crafted by local artisans, empowering communities while promoting sustainability. Visit our activation tent at MKO and experience innovation in action! #MagicalKenyaOpen #PrideOfAfrica #KQWingsToSwings #SustainableAviation