BY JEFF OTIENO

After a sterling and unrivalled performance spanning almost a decade in the Sugar Industry, Mumias Sugar Managing Director Dr. Evans Odhiambo Kidero has today decided to call it quits in a tearful but a colourful handing over ceremony in the factory precincts which was attended by workers, all departmental heads, farmers and other stakeholders.

The new Chief Executive Peter Kibati described Dr. Kideros tenure as spectacular worth emulating.”We will try our level best to follow your foot steps to continue making Mumias Sugar a force to reckon with in the region”, Kibati told the attentive gathering amid applause.

” Our strategic plan as envisaged must be fulfilled and i urge all of you to accord me the necessary support to achieve the said goals,’ he said a mid tears from a section of workers. Kibati described Kidero’s legacy as wonderful, brilliant intellectual who always consulted and collaborated whenever there was need.

Mr. Kibati initially was at Price Water House Coopers and Standard Chartered Bank Kisumu Branch and later joined the leading Miller as an Internal auditor and rose as Financial Director before taking the mantle from the immediate industrious C.E.O DR. Kidero 3 months ago. According to key industry players who talked to this journalist in the Company Precints, Kibati has got the potential to continue with the foot steps of Dr. Kidero, since he’s young ,equally focussed and energetic.

Former Chairman of Butere Mumias County Council, Councillor Michael Keya added that doubting Thomases will be proved wrong soon urging all the stakeholders to give maximum co-operation to the new C.E.O to achieve the set standards.

Dr. Kidero will be remembered for the general improvement of infrastructure in Mumias and its environs. He was a complete team player who knew all the departmental Managers by their names, hated bureaucracy or red tape and was a go getter.

He joined Mumias Sugar in October 2003, after other rare and magnificent performances at Nation Media Group and Smith Kline Beecham.

Accompanied by his wife Susan Mboya and a Nairobi Businessman Erick Okeyo, Kidero appealed to the workers to continue with the same spirit and added that he will always flex his muscles and be available when there’s a problem to be tackled.

His farewell party is however slated for mid October, 2012 due to logistical reasons.

END