Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) has readvertised the position of Managing Director, which is yet to be substantively filled since Joe Sang quit last December after being charged in court over the Ksh 1.9 billion Kisumu oil jetty scandal.
Sang alongside Company Secretary Gloria Khafafa and Vincent Cheruiyot (General Manager, Supply Chain), Billy Aseka (General Manager, Infrastructure), Nicholas Gitobu (Procurement Manager) and Samuel Odoyo (General Manager, Finance) denied the charges and were released on a Ksh 2 million bond.
Amid swirling graft allegations, Sang on December 4 last year announced that he would not be seeking a second term at the helm of the company.
The KPC Board, which is chaired by John Ngumi, had initially advertised the position on July 19 with those interested required to submit their applications by August 2.
However, in a notice published in sections of the press on Monday, the company announced that after scrutiny of the applications, the Board did not find an adequate number of qualified applicants to proceed to the next stage. Fresh applicants now have until October 14 to make their applications. However, those who had applied earlier are not required to make fresh applications.
While we could not establish why there was inadequate interest in the coveted job, it is likely that the high turnover of CEOs at the scandal-plagued parastatal could have made suitable candidates to give it a wide berth.
Apart from Sang, other former CEOs who have left KPC unceremoniously include Charles Tanui (2015), Selest Kilinda (2013), George Okungu (2009), Dr Shem Ochuodho (2005), Dr Linus Cheruiyot (2004) and Ezekiel Komen, who were all accused of presiding over mega scandals at Kenpipe Plaza.
After Tanui, Flora Akoth held the position in an acting capacity but was sent on compulsory leave in less than a year.
Hudson Andambi named acting MD
The position was advertised attracting 64 applicants. Sang emerged the winner but his appointment by Energy Cabinet Secretary Charles Keter was not without controversy.
Following his departure, the Petroleum ministry appointed Hudson Andambi as acting MD to allow the board time to chart the way forward. His appointment was initially set to end on April 6 but was extended to October 6. It now appears he will stay a bit longer given the failure to find a suitable replacement.
According to the Board, the appointment of the MD will be for a contractual period of three years renewable once subject to satisfactory performance and delivery of set performance targets and outcomes.
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