Captain Koki Mutungi

Captain Irene “Koki” Mutungi is a trailblazing Kenyan aviator whose career has shattered gender barriers across Africa’s skies. Born to a Kenya Airways pilot father and air hostess mother, she began flight training at 17 at Wilson Airport before earning her Commercial Pilot’s License in Oklahoma, USA.

Mutungi joined Kenya Airways in 1995 as its first and only female pilot, a status she held for six years. In 2004, she became the first African woman to captain a commercial aircraft when she led a Boeing 737—marking a milestone in aviation history. She later qualified on the Boeing 767 and, on April 15, 2014, made headlines once more as the first African female captain of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

Beyond cockpit achievements, Mutungi has had profound impact as a mentor. She led Africa’s first all-female crew in 2004 and continues to inspire women into STEM and aviation, advocating for scholarships and greater inclusion in technical roles. Recognized internationally, she was named one of Forbes Africa’s “20 Youngest Power Women” in 2014, featured among Avance Media’s 100 Most Influential African Women in 2023, and inducted into the Aviators Africa Hall of Fame in October 2022 after more than 25 years in aviation.

Mutungi balances her pioneering career with advocacy for young women and Africa’s less-privileged youth, planning a foundation to provide training and funding opportunities. Recently appointed Assistant Chief Pilot at Kenya Airways, she leverages her role to further promote diversity and mentorship in aviation.

Famous Quote

We have to prove ourselves, women, we can do it maybe even better.

— Capt. Koki Mutungi