Martine Ogolla Dima Becomes the Substantive SonySugar Managing Director

Martine Ogola Dima has become the substantive Managing Director of South Nyanza Sugar Company Limited. The Chairman of the Board of Directors Hon. Jared Kopiyo, ratified his appointment after the Employment and Labor Court sitting in Kisumu dismissed the case challenging his appointment. Mr. Dima received his appointment letter on May 3rd, 2024. The government-owned sugar miller has been run by three different managing directors in an acting capacity since 2017.

The petitioner, Benard Ochieng Ouma, alleged the contravention of the laws on recruitment and conflict of interest in the interviewing and shortlisting of candidates for the position. The exercise was conducted by the Board of Directors of the company, led by their chairman, Hon Jared Kopiyo, in December 2023.

Out of the 14 shortlisted candidates, Mr. Dima emerged top, followed by Mr. Samson Aliton Okello, and Mr. Kennedy Riaga respectively. On 24th April 2024, Justice Stephen Radido ruled that the petitioner failed to prove his case to the required standard and, hence dismissed it with no cost since it was brought in the public interest.

The Attorney General, Hon Justine Muturi, was among the respondents in the case. In February this year, the board appointed Mr. James Oluoch to act as the managing director in the place of Mr. Stephen Ligawa who proceeded on a prolonged annual leave. Mr. Oluoch is the Head of the ICT department.