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| Workers Protest Appointment of New EAPCC Managing Director, Halting Operations. |
Athi River, Kenya – Operations at the East Africa Portland Cement Company (EAPCC) ground to a halt on Monday, December 23, 2024, as workers staged a protest over the appointment of a new Managing Director. The demonstrators allege that the appointment process was biased and irregular, raising questions about transparency and fairness.
The protest erupted two days after President William Ruto named Mr. Bruno O. Obodha as the new Managing Director on Friday, December 20, 2024. Mr. Obodha was set to replace Mr. Mohammed Osman Adan, who had served as the acting Managing Director since March 2024. Workers, however, blocked the factory entrance with heavy machinery and disabled key equipment, preventing production and the movement of trucks in and out of the plant.
Workers Question Qualifications and Process
During the protest, workers voiced their dissatisfaction, citing concerns over Mr. Obodha’s qualifications and potential conflicts of interest. In a statement read by employee spokesperson Alex Muluwa, the employees claimed that Mr. Obodha lacks the technical expertise to lead the company out of years of financial turmoil.
According to reports from a special board meeting held at EAPCC’s Taj Towers offices on November 22, 2024, Mr. Adan was the clear front-runner in the selection process. Dr. Justa Mwangi followed closely behind Mr. Obodha with a score of 63.86%. Despite this, President Ruto’s decision to appoint Mr. Obodha has sparked widespread unrest among the workforce.
On Monday, armed police officers stationed at the factory monitored the situation but did not intervene as workers barricaded the main gate. Mr. Obodha, expected to assume office, did not arrive at the plant due to the protests.
EAPCC has faced significant challenges in recent years, including mounting losses and operational inefficiencies. Workers argue that the company requires a leader with both technical expertise and a strong track record in management to navigate the complex issues at hand.
“Mr. Obodha’s involvement with a company that directly transacts with EAPCC through land control creates a clear conflict of interest. His impartiality and transparency in decision-making cannot be guaranteed,” the workers stated. They further alleged that during interviews held in November 2024, Mr. Adan had emerged as the top candidate with the highest score of 88.15%, significantly outperforming Mr. Obodha, who scored 64%.
Background on the Selection Process
Mr. Mohammed Osman Adan, who has been with EAPCC for over three years, rose through the ranks to become head of finance before being named acting Managing Director. Under his leadership, he was seen as a stabilizing figure within the organization.
The workers are calling on President Ruto and the Head of Public Service to reconsider the appointment and select a more qualified candidate to lead the struggling company. They vowed to continue their demonstrations until their grievances are addressed.
As the protests continue, stakeholders are anxiously awaiting a resolution to the leadership impasse, which could have far-reaching implications for the company’s future.
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