The aggregate payout to female workers at Kenya Airways (KQ) dipped marginally compared to that of their male counterparts in 2024, hit by lower representation in higher-paying technical jobs and leadership positions.
A latest sustainability report by the national carrier shows that the proportion of total salary earned by women declined slightly to 30 percent in 2024, down from 31 percent the previous year—meaning that male employees of the airline cumulatively take home a bigger portion of the budget salary.
“The proportion of total salary earned by women has declined slightly to 30 percent, underscoring the persistent underrepresentation of women in higher-paying technical and leadership positions. This insight serves not as a setback, but as a catalyst for deeper action,” Tom Shivo Chief People Officer at KQ told Business Daily.
Data shows that the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE)- listed firm raised the share of its permanent staff to 83 percent from 72.3 percent amid a profit run in the last financial year.
KQ reported that it recorded an eight percent jump in its headcount, bringing the total staff size to 4,705 by the end of last December.
The airline also reported that the ratio of female staffers grew by seven percentage points to 79 percent during the review period, up from 72 percent.
“Female representation within the organisation has increased from 72 percent to 79 percent, while participation in gender-related training has grown from 70 percent to 85 percent,” added Mr Shivo.
“Guided by data, we are intensifying our focus on structural transformation. Through our 25by2025 initiative, we are advancing inclusive workforce planning, enhancing career mobility for women, and strengthening leadership pipelines that convert equity from aspiration to achievement,” the official added.
KQ resorted to retrenchment in 2020 following the Covid-19 pandemic which disrupted travel plans across the world with lockdowns and border closures.
The carrier resumed new hiring in 2022 in a bid to restore the jobs it had cut during the Covid-19 crisis when the grounding of planes forced the carrier into jobs cuts and hiring freeze, and has sustained the trend amid increased frequency of flights and more passenger numbers as normalcy returns across the globe.
“Additionally, we have recorded a 37 percent increase in the number of women in permanent employment—an important step toward fostering long-term career equity,” Mr Shivo said.
“We acknowledge, however, that greater representation has yet to fully translate into pay parity” he added.
