NAIROBI, Kenya, Jan 23 – The Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) Board has exuded confidence in Joe Sang’s appointment as Acting Managing Director noting that he has a proven track record and will be able to turn around the firm’s declining performance.
In a statement, Board Chair Faith Boinett said the KPC Board had noted staff dissatisfaction and low morale, reflected in the Company’s output necessitating the need to get an experienced leader.
“KPC’s declining performance requires an experienced hand with a proven performance record to guide the company through this period,” said Boinett.
According to Boinett, Sang’s brief but highly effective tenure at KPC (2016- 2018) saw remarkable changes in the management and performance of the State Corporation.
“I was part of the KPC board that witnessed the profitability of the Company rise steadily from 2016 when he assumed management, culminating in a record Sh8.6 billion profit after tax in 2018,” she said.
Boinett noted that after his exit, the Company’s performance and profitability took a progressive and significant nosedive immediately to post a profit before tax of Sh1.6billion in 2021, representing a drop of more than 80 per cent in a period of four years.
“Sang has a very good grasp of all the issues and processes at KPC, and in view of his good performance record with the Company, the Board of Directors in consultation with the Parent Ministry determined that he is the most suitable person to be appointed to the position of Acting Managing Director – KPC,” she said.
Joe Sang was first appointed the managing director of KPC towards the end of April 2016. But his tenure was cut short after he was forced to resign in December 2018.
Sang and other senior managers of KPC were arrested on December 7, 2018, and charged with implementing the Kisumu oil jetty project which cost taxpayers an alleged loss of Sh1.9 billion.
Last month, Sang was acquitted of the charges when the court ruled that no funds were lost and that the project was well-planned.
He now takes over from Irungu Macharia, whose 3-year contract expired on January 1, 2023.
Sang has previously worked with WHO-KEMRI as a Project Economist, Financial Accountant with National Oil Corporation of Kenya (NOCK), Management Accountant with Unga Limited, Head of Finance for East African Breweries Limited (EABL) Subsidiary, Head of Group Performance and Reporting for East African Breweries Limited (EABL) Group.
He holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics and a Master of Business Administration (MBA), Strategic Management both from the University of Nairobi.
