Airtel Kenya appoints new Managing Director and Board Chairman

Airtel Networks Kenya Limited’s Board of Directors has appointed Mr. Louis Onyango Otieno as Chairman and Mr. Ashish Malhotra as Managing Director to guide the company’s next phase of growth.

The new chairman has substantial leadership expertise in ICT throughout the private and public sectors, as well as a solid track record as a board member in firms spanning industries. He began his career in New York at EEC Financial Services, where he rose to the position of Assistant Vice President. He eventually joined Microsoft Corporation in 1997, where he led the company’s operations in Africa in various capacities for the next 21 years. Mr. Otieno has an MBA from Long Island University in Brooklyn, New York, and a BS in Computer Information Systems from Mercy College in Dobbs Ferry, New York.

Mr. Otieno is the Chairman of Absa Asset Management Limited. He is also an independent non-executive director of Absa Bank Kenya Plc and Nation Media Group Plc.

Mr. Malhotra has over 21 years of expertise in the telecommunications industry. He was previously the Group Head of Sales and Marketing at Airtel Africa, where he oversaw operations in 14 countries. He was crucial in tripling sales, streamlining pricing principles, and developing strong unique selling propositions across nations in this job. He graduated with honors from the Symbiosis Institute of Management Studies (SIMS) in India and the Sri Ram College of Commerce in India. He succeeds Mr. Prasanta Das Sarma, who has held the role from January 2017 and has been key in helping Airtel Kenya to become Kenya’s fastest growing telecom firm, increasing customer base from 5 million to 16 million. Mr. Das Sarma is moving to a new role as the Fiber Company CEO for Airtel Africa.

“We wish to congratulate Mr. Otieno and Mr. Malhotra on their appointment and wish them success in their new roles. We look forward to working with them to take Airtel Kenya to the next level, as we continue delivering innovative and relevant solutions for individuals and businesses in the country,” the Board said in a statement.