People’s Liberation Party (PLP) leader Martha Karua has lauded Kenya’s first female pilot, Irene Koki Mutungi, for commanding the inaugural flight of the national carrier from the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) to Gatwick, London.
In a statement on Friday, July 4, 2025, Karua posted a catchy phrase captioned: “Go ladies, go.” in honour of Koki and her counterpart Cathleen Kangethe, who flew the inaugural plane to Gatwick in the UK.
Koki commanded the first direct flight from JKIA to London on July 3, 2025, aboard a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, just years after commanding the first ever direct flight from Kenya to New York on October 28, 2018.
As Kenya’s first female pilot, Koki’s journey from the cockpit of smaller aircraft to commanding global commercial flights has been a testament to her unwavering dedication and skill in a historically male-dominated industry.
Started at 17
Koki’s fascination with aviation began at a tender age, deeply influenced by her father, who was also a pilot with Kenya Airways. This early exposure ignited a passion that saw her enrol in flight school at Nairobi’s Wilson Airport at just 17 years old, where she earned her private pilot’s license.
She further honed her skills in Oklahoma in the United States, obtaining her commercial pilot’s license from the Federal Aviation Administration.
Her professional career took flight in 1995 when she joined Kenya Airways, marking a pivotal moment as the airline’s first female pilot. For six years, she stood as the sole woman in the cockpit at the national carrier, navigating not just the skies but also societal perceptions.
Transition to major airlines
The transition to commercial flights saw Koki steadily climb the ranks, achieving significant milestones. In 2004, she made history by becoming the first African woman to qualify to captain a commercial aircraft, specifically the Boeing 737.
In 2014, Kenya Airways proudly announced her promotion to captain of the B787, making her the first African female Boeing 787 captain in the world. This achievement not only marked a personal triumph but also served as a powerful symbol of gender equality and opportunity within the aviation sector across the continent.
Koki has become an iconic role model and mentor, particularly for young women interested in aviation. Her journey underscores the importance of perseverance and breaking barriers in a male-dominated career.
