Sugar firm plans to hire new managing director

Nzoia Sugar Company is in the process of hiring a new managing director.

The sugar firm’s acting boss Michael Kulundu died on March 6 in Nairobi.

Kulundu was abducted, tortured and left for dead by unknown assailants on the Kanduyi-Webuye highway on January 2.

The sugarcane mill board placed an advert in the local dailies yesterday, calling for qualified individuals to apply for the position.

“The company wishes to recruit a qualified, experienced, dynamic, visionary, dedicated and pragmatic leader to fill the above Managing Director position,” read the advertisement.

Whoever gets the post will be answerable to the board of directors and act as the company’s accounting officer.

The successful candidate will be expected to ensure prudent management of resources by establishing sound financial management and investment policies and practices.

Individuals with first degree in agriculture, engineering, business, finance or social sciences have been encouraged to apply for the position.

The board insists that candidates must possess at least 10 years of relevant work experience, seven of which must be at a senior level while part of the experience being in the manufacturing sector.

The company’s board chairman Joash Wamang’oli has been obligated to oversee the recruitment.

Nzoia Sugar Company is among five State-owned factories earmarked for sale by the Government due to inefficiency.

Local leaders are opposed to plans to auction the sugar firm, saying the move could expose farmers to exploitation.

Governor Wycliffe Wangamati claimed farmers would have little say in the management of sugar factories in case they are sold.

Matungu MP Justus Murunga said the Government must inject funds into the ailing sugar factories to increase their worth before privatising them.

However, Privatisation Commission chairman Paul Otuoma has allayed fears that the planned sale will hurt the growers and the industry.

Dr Otuoma said the Government will not offset all the shares in the five factories as was being claimed by some politicians.

According to Otuoma, at stake is only 51 per cent shares that the Government seeks to offload.

So far, the Government has released Sh1.9 billion for clearing arrears owed to farmers who made deliveries to Nzoia Sugar Company. The firm still owes Sh800 million.