The High Court has allowed the newly appointed Managing Director of Portland Cement Bruno Oguda Obodha to take office following his appointment by the President on December 20, 2024.
Additionally the high court has instructed the petitioners who went to court seeking to block Oguda from assuming office to serve the application for directions by January 20, 2025, which indicates the procedural steps moving forward.
Oguda’s take over of the Athi River-based factory was delayed on Monday, December 23 after a section of workers opposed to his appointment staged protests, barricading the main gate and paralysing operations.
The striking workers claim biasness in the appointment of the new managing director, who will be replacing Mohammed Osman Adan, who was serving in an acting capacity.
The also claimed that Oguda was in conflict of interest, and lacked much-needed technical know-how to turn around the fortunes of the company.
The petitioner says that during November 2024 interviews, the acting MD emerged as the best candidate for the position on permanent basis.
