Striking employees of the East Africa Portland Cement Company (EAPCC) on Monday barricaded the main gate of the Athi River-based factory, paralysing operations amid claims of bias in the appointment of the company’s new managing director.
Bruno O. Obodha was named to the post by President William Ruto last Friday to replace Mohammed Osman Adan, who was serving in an acting capacity.
On Monday morning, a section of workers opposed to the new appointment, shut down the plant's kiln and barricaded the factory’s main gate using tractors, bringing to a halt operations.
Mr Obodha was expected at the factory on Monday morning but after the standoff, he did not turn up.
For the entire day, no trucks were allowed to enter or leave the plant as armed police officers, who were deployed to guard the factory, watched helplessly.
In a press statement, the workers claimed that they had no confidence in the new appointee, saying he was embroiled in a conflict of interest with the company and he lacked the much-needed technical ability to turn around the firm currently on a positive trajectory after years of loss making.
"Mr Obodha's involvement in a real estate firm that directly transacts with EAPCC through land regularisation presents a glaring conflict of interest. This will compromise decision making and raise ethical concerns about the impartiality and transparency required for the managing director role," the workers said in a statement.
“During the November interviews, the acting MD Mohammed Adan emerged as the best candidate scoring exemplary marks," they further claimed.
Extracts of a special board of directors meeting held at the company's office at Taj Towers on Friday, November 22, 2024, showed that Mr Adan emerged as the best candidate scoring 88.15 percent, Obodha emerged second at 64 percent, followed closely by Justa Mwangi who managed 63.86 percent.
The agitated workers want President Ruto and the Head of Public Service to rescind the appointment and have vowed to continue paralysing operations until their grievances are addressed.
Mr Adan, who has been the finance director for the past three years, was appointed by the board on May 28, 2024, to replace Oliver Kirubai after two and a half years at the helm of the company.
Boardroom wrangling at the cement maker has seen five people take the helm, albeit for short periods.
