Kenya Airways was established in 1977 after the break up of East African Airways. It makes Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi its main hub. Its IATA designator is KQ. The collapse of East African Airways was a consequence of the breakup of the East African Community.

In 1986, Sessional Paper Number 1 was published by Kenya's government, outlining the country's need for economic development and growth. The document stressed the government opinion that the airline would be better off if owned by private interests, thus resulting in the first attempt to privatize the airline.

The government named Mr. Philip Ndegwa as Chairman of the Board in 1991, with specific orders to privatize the airline. He heads a renewed company cabinet.

In 1992, the Public Enterprise Reform paper was published, giving Kenya Airways priority among national companies in Kenya to be privatized.

In the fiscal year 1993 to 1994, the airline produced its first profit since the start of commercialization.

Also in 1994, the International Finance Corporation, IFC, was appointed to provide assistance in the privatization process.

In 1995, Kenya Airways went through some important financial processes, including the restructuring of its debts and a master corporation agreement with KLM.

In 1996, shares were floated to the public, and the airline started trading on the Nairobi Stock Exchange.

In more recent years, Kenya Airways suffered an accident, when a plane of theirs leaving Côte d'Ivoire on its way to Nairobi crashed after takeoff, killing all but 10 passengers.

The airline offers flights on Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 aircraft.