Companies

Sasini taps Security Group's Kenya MD Martin Ochien'g as its chief executive

sasini

Some of the coffee and tea brands marketed by Sasini Ltd. FILE PHOTO | NMG

Listed plantations firm Sasini Plc has tapped Security Group Africa (SGA) Kenya’s managing director Martin Ochien’g to oversee its operations, overlooking long-serving group financial controller Samuel Odalo.

Sasini’s board said on Thursday Mr Ochien’g will take over as managing director of the struggling firm from March 1, replacing Mr Odalo who has been an interim head since January.

The new CEO, a holder of Master’s degree in Business Administration from UK’s Oxford Brookes University, becomes the fourth boss to occupy the Sasini corner office in about four years.

“His career spans over 25 years of experience in international trade and business management and leadership in industry leading global organisations,” the Sasini board said in a statement.

Macadamia, avocado farming

Mr Ochien’g has been tasked to lead the firm’s diversification strategy into macadamia and avocado farming, which are usually inter-cropped with traditional tea and coffee – Sasini’s main revenue drivers.

The position fell vacant after Mr Stephen Githiga chose not to renew his two-year contract, which expired at the end of 2018.

Mr Ochien’g will face shareholders in the first week on the job during Sasini’s annual general meeting (AGM) scheduled for March 8 in Kiambu.

Drop in earnings

Sasini reported a 13.52 percent drop in full-year profit to Sh293.52 million for the period ended last September after revenue fell 16.33 percent to Sh3.5 billion.

Since 2003, Mr Ochien’g has held leadership roles with multinationals including head of marketing for sub-Saharan Africa for Pfizer, head of global marketing at KWV International and marketing director for Tyco International in Africa and Middle East.

Before taking over as MD for SGA, he had served as chief executive for Tyco Commercial Services and GHM Africa.