Turning Point for SonySugar after Government Approves Their HR Instruments

The Government has eventually given a nod to South Nyanza Sugar Company Ltd to implement their revised Human Resource (HR) Instruments seventeen years after the last approval in the year 2007.

The approved instruments: Career Guidelines, Organizational Structure, Grading Structure, Staff Establishment, and HR Policy and Procedure Manual—bundled in three publications—were officially presented to SonySugar by the State Corporations Advisory Committee (SCAC) Board Chairman, Mr. Patrick Mong’ony and CEO, Mr. Simon Indimuli on 4th September 2024.

The instruments were received by the Chairman of the Board of Directors Hon. Jared Kopiyo and Managing Director, Mr. Martine Dima at the Company Headquarters in Awendo. “This approval by the Public Service Commission and SCAC therefore means your HR practices are anchored on the law.’” Said Mr Mongo’ny, who advised the Company to roll out the instruments strategically.

The instruments, which provide structural and legal guidelines on recruitment, management, remuneration and development of human resources, were submitted to SCAC in October 2023 by SonySugar Board Chairman. In July 2024, the SCAC board visited SonySugar and ascertained the actual existence of the aspects in the submitted documents.

The Managing Director Mr. Martine Dima observed that “SonySugar will henceforth be able to recruit skills, promote staff and remunerate talents in line with the government structures and procedures.” The Board Chair Hon. Jared Kopiyo challenged SCAC to advise the Government properly on the business models of the government millers versus the private millers, noting that government millers lack cushioning regarding subsidies and sound sectoral regulations.

Mr Indimuli congratulated SonySugar for leading as the first sugar industry in Kenya to have their HR Instruments approved by the Government. The other directors present included Mary Mugo, Catherine Ng’ang’a, and Caroline Cherono Kilisha from SCAC, and Douglas Kailanya and Mary Were from SonySugar. Also present was SonySugar senior management.

SonySugar has employed over 1500 staff. Three quarters of them serve on renewable contract basis while 90 percent of permanent and pensionable staff serve in various roles on acting basis. However, “the staff will now have improved terms based on the provisions of the new instruments.” Said Mr. Dan Oyamo, the Head of Human Resource Department.