01/02/2007
GRANTS
ARCHIVES
;
Kisumu,1st Jan 2007
CHANGES OF MANAGEMENT MADE AT SONY SUGAR COMPANY ANGER THE FARMERS.
By Leo Odera Omolo
The minister for Agriculture Kipruto Arap
Kirwa has posted a senior official
in the Ministry as the new Managing Director of the Awendo based South Nyanza Sugar Company Limited.
Mr.Kenneth Ayuko who hails from Seme in Kisumu district takes over from Mr.Benard Otieno who has been acting in the same capacity ever since the
Ministry's sacking of the former MD Mr.Ambrose Otieno. Before he became the acting CEO, Mr.Otieno was previously the Sony Sugar factory manager. He was told to hand over to Mr.Ayuko and then to proceed on leave.
The suspension of Mr. Otieno comes only a day after the Langata MP Raila Amolo Odinga spent a night at the company's guest house.
Minister Kirwa however was quoted by a section of the press as having denied the suspension was related to the issue of Raila Odinga having spent the night at the company facility.
While Minister Kirwa played down the issue, his PS Dr.Romano Koome
contradicted the Minister when he said Otieno's suspension was related to the
sale of sugar during the recent sugar shortage crisis.
The newly appointed chairman of the Board of Director Mr. Herbert Ojwang
defended the suspended MD, saying Mr.Otieno had done nothing wrong. He said the suspension had nothing to do with Raila's visit to the company's facility.
Moreover Ojwang said the Company's guest house is open to all customers wishing to book themselves for the night
The appointment of Mr.Ayuko is believed to have been brokered by the
controversial MD of Chemelil Sugar Company Prof.Julius Omondi Nyabundi, who it is being alleged to be a close friend and a business partner of Minister Kirwa. Both Nyabundi and Ayuko hails from Seme.
The appointment has sparked sharp reaction from members of the sugar cane
farming fraternity within Awendo cane growing zones who said they had suspected foul play with some of minister Kirwa's recent appointment.
A prominent farmer who preferred to maintain his anonymity told this writer
that Sony Sugar management needs someone with a wealth of experience of the company operations and work system like Mr.Benard Otieno. His brief stint as the acting Managing Director of the financially strapped Sugar manufacturing firm had restored the confidence of farmers. Alternatively the Ministry should have advertised the post and called for fresh applicants on competitive basis.
It was not however clear whether Mr.Ayuko has been posted to Sony Sugar on temporary secondment or permanently as the new Managing Director of the Company. Many farmers sought an explanation and clarification about the new change of guard at the Awendo based company.
Many farmers and stakeholders interviewed felt the former acting MD had all
the necessary qualifications and ability to turn the firm to a profitability had
he been given the chance to prove his potentiality. Other stakeholders said they
had seen the hand of Mr. Andrew Otieno, the KSB CEO in such a mischievous move.
in the Ministry as the new Managing Director of the Awendo based South Nyanza Sugar Company Limited.
Mr.Kenneth Ayuko who hails from Seme in Kisumu district takes over from Mr.Benard Otieno who has been acting in the same capacity ever since the
Ministry's sacking of the former MD Mr.Ambrose Otieno. Before he became the acting CEO, Mr.Otieno was previously the Sony Sugar factory manager. He was told to hand over to Mr.Ayuko and then to proceed on leave.
The suspension of Mr. Otieno comes only a day after the Langata MP Raila Amolo Odinga spent a night at the company's guest house.
Minister Kirwa however was quoted by a section of the press as having denied the suspension was related to the issue of Raila Odinga having spent the night at the company facility.
While Minister Kirwa played down the issue, his PS Dr.Romano Koome
contradicted the Minister when he said Otieno's suspension was related to the
sale of sugar during the recent sugar shortage crisis.
The newly appointed chairman of the Board of Director Mr. Herbert Ojwang
defended the suspended MD, saying Mr.Otieno had done nothing wrong. He said the suspension had nothing to do with Raila's visit to the company's facility.
Moreover Ojwang said the Company's guest house is open to all customers wishing to book themselves for the night
The appointment of Mr.Ayuko is believed to have been brokered by the
controversial MD of Chemelil Sugar Company Prof.Julius Omondi Nyabundi, who it is being alleged to be a close friend and a business partner of Minister Kirwa. Both Nyabundi and Ayuko hails from Seme.
The appointment has sparked sharp reaction from members of the sugar cane
farming fraternity within Awendo cane growing zones who said they had suspected foul play with some of minister Kirwa's recent appointment.
A prominent farmer who preferred to maintain his anonymity told this writer
that Sony Sugar management needs someone with a wealth of experience of the company operations and work system like Mr.Benard Otieno. His brief stint as the acting Managing Director of the financially strapped Sugar manufacturing firm had restored the confidence of farmers. Alternatively the Ministry should have advertised the post and called for fresh applicants on competitive basis.
It was not however clear whether Mr.Ayuko has been posted to Sony Sugar on temporary secondment or permanently as the new Managing Director of the Company. Many farmers sought an explanation and clarification about the new change of guard at the Awendo based company.
Many farmers and stakeholders interviewed felt the former acting MD had all
the necessary qualifications and ability to turn the firm to a profitability had
he been given the chance to prove his potentiality. Other stakeholders said they
had seen the hand of Mr. Andrew Otieno, the KSB CEO in such a mischievous move.
ENDS
The writer is LUOCOME REPORTER based in Kisumu. We urge all LUOCOME members with pressing issues pertaining to media and press releases to kindly contact him from any where in world. He will assist you to get true picture of your Village Developement.
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