Nzoia Sugar Managing Director Godfrey Wanyonyi and six senior managers have been suspended following accusations of misuse of funds.
The firm's board took the drastic decision barely four days after the said officers were arraigned in a Bungoma court to answer to fraud charges over a Sh11.2 million loss.
Senior managers affected are Chief Cashier John Wanyonyi, Kennedy Onyango (accountant), Ben Sitati (cashier), Robert Juma (general manager), Kennedy Wanjala and Juliet Ng'ang'a (clerks).
Board Chairman Joash Wamang'oli yesterday revealed that the seven were suspended for alleged gross misconduct. A meeting by the board to discuss the said officials went on despite a court order seeking to have it stopped. Mr Wamang'oli said the order was time barred but acknowledged receiving it.
He said the decision had already been reached and could not be reversed. The court order had been obtained by a farmer, Juma Sikuta.
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"We don't recognise this court order. Its content is irrelevant and it has arrived late when the decision to suspend the seven has been made. It can't be reversed now," Wamang'oli declared.
Wamang'oli said they took the firm decision to save the company from collapse. Emmanuel Kulundu, a project implementation manager, was appointed acting managing director.
