Local leaders fault Wamang’oli's appointment to Nzoia Sugar board

Nzoia sugar Company in Bungoma County. Kanduyi Mp Wafula Wamunyinyi and Ex Kanduyi Mp Alfred Khang'ati want the president to revoke the appointment of Nzoia Sugar Company board Chairman Joash Wamang'oli citing incompetency in leading the giant sugar firm. (PHOTO:TITUS OTEBA/STANDARD)

President Uhuru Kenyatta's appointee to head Nzoia Sugar Company is facing resistance from his own backyard.

Kanduyi MP Wafula Wamunyinyi and former MP Alfred Khang'ati have accused Joash Wamang'oli, who the President appointed as chairman of the company's board of directors, of embezzling millions of shillings when he was the Nzoia Outgrowers Company (NOCO) chairman and want his appointment revoked.

Mr Wamang'oli, just like Mr Wamunyinyi and Mr Khang'ati, hails from Bungoma County.

Speaking on Monday at Mechimeru in Kanduyi, Wamunyinyi and Khang'ati castigated the State for not allowing consultations in the appointments that have seen Nzoia Sugar given "a corrupt chairman" to lead its board.

POVERTY JAWS

The two accused Wamang'oli, a former Webuye MP, of having presided over embezzlement of the company resources that led to its near collapse.

"NOCO is now a pale shadow of its former self and we cannot allow him to land in Nzoia Sugar as the board member because he will not help the common sugarcane farmer," said Wamunyinyi.

But Wamang'oli defended himself, saying he played his role as the NOCO Chairman very well and that is why the President recognised his efforts.

"I represented the farmers very well as the NOCO chairman and board member by fighting for  better cane prices to save farmers from the jaws of poverty," he said.

Wamang'oli called on local leaders to support him in his bid to transform Nzoia Sugar Company instead of calling for the revocation of his appointment.