National Oil Corporation of Kenya (Nock) has started the search for a new chief executive to replace Sumayya Hassan-Athmani who exited the company in July this year.
The State-owned oil firm Thursday advertised the key position which is currently held in an acting position by MaryJane Mwangi, who served as Nock’s general manager in charge of downstream operations prior to her new role.
Ms Athmani’s five-year term was marked by boardroom wrangles and high drama which saw her forced out of office, temporarily reinstated, before she eventually chose to retire.
The oil marketer’s board of directors is eying candidates who hold a Master’s degree in business or engineering-related field and who also have at least 10 years’ experience, four of them at a senior management level.
“The ideal candidate will be called upon to drive change, lead and build a competitive fully integrated oil and gas company,” the oil company said in a newspaper notice.
“Therefore, strong marketing, financial and interpersonal skills are essential as well as practical, relevant and thorough knowledge and experience of the oil and gas sector.”
Nock began operations in 1984 and its strategic mandate is to play a price stabilising role and arrest any cartel-like behaviour by private marketers.
The oil firm slid into the red in the first half of last year to post a loss of Sh270 million, leading to the board sending the CEO home in January and ordering for a forensic audit. But three weeks later Deputy President William Ruto reinstated Ms Athmani pending a forensic audit. Later, the parastatal issued a statement saying Ms Athmani had “left the corporation at her request effective July 1, 2016.”
