This archive report was first published on 15 December 2019.
December 15, 2019, marked a significant turning point for Nzoia Sugar Company as CEO Michael Wanjala launched an aggressive plan to rescue the ailing factory. The company, which was struggling with huge debt and lack of raw materials, was in dire need of a turnaround strategy.
Mr. Wanjala, 39, took over the management of the company in August and quickly got to work. He launched a rapid results initiative (RRI) aimed at putting the miller back to production. According to Wanjala, the RRI is a strategy that focuses on achieving quick wins using existing resources without going outside the budget.
"The RRI is anchored on agricultural strategy, considering it's the source of the raw materials, sugar cane," Wanjala explained during a recent interview at his Bungoma office.
One of the key areas of focus for Wanjala is to move the company closer to the farmers by organizing the sugar miller's 26 outreach offices in four regions. He plans to work in those regional offices once a month to have direct contact with farmers on cane harvesting, planting, and providing farm inputs.
Wanjala's efforts have already started to bear fruit, with the company reclaiming 300 acres and weeding about 78 hectares through a volunteer labour programme.
