Suspicions Over Mysterious Shutdown Of EAPCC System for Two Days

Concerns have been raised over the mysterious shutdown of the East African Portland Cement Company (EAPCC) system last week, which brought the company’s operations to a standstill for two days.

City lawyer Apollo Mboya has formally written to the government demanding an explanation for the disruption, which he claims has raised serious questions about transparency and governance within the state-owned firm.

In a letter addressed to Investment and Trade Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui, and copied to Attorney General Dorcas Odour and Head of Public Service Felix Koskei, Mboya sought clarity on why the company’s JD system, which is critical for factory operations and financial transactions, was disabled.

The lawyer also requested copies of the Board Minutes that allegedly canceled the appointment of President William Ruto’s nominee to the company’s leadership, as well as the letter of appointment for the new appointee.

“Take notice that in case of your non-compliance to the request within 48 hours upon receipt of this letter, we shall commence the necessary legal action without further reference to you whatsoever and at your detriment,” Mboya warned in the letter.

The lawyer emphasized that the information sought is crucial to upholding constitutional rights, including the right to fair administrative action as enshrined in Article 47 of the Constitution of Kenya and the Fair Administrative Action Act, 2015.

He also cited the right to equal protection and benefit of the law, as well as the right to access justice.

Mboya revealed that on December 20, 2024, the Principal Administrative Secretary, acting on behalf of the Head of Public Service Felix Koskei, communicated the President’s appointment of a new Managing Director for EAPCC.

However, on February 26, 2025, the Board reportedly convened a meeting and subsequently appointed CPA Mohamed Osman Adan as the substantive Managing Director, countermanding the President’s decision.

According to Mboya, the Board’s actions were accompanied by remarks that belittled the President and his appointee, causing consternation among Board members and staff.

He further alleged that these actions were taken despite the withdrawal of court conservatory orders that had initially barred the President’s appointee from assuming office.

“Your said actions contravened Article 232 of the Constitution of Kenya on the values and principles of public service, which include high standards of professional ethics and accountability for administrative acts.

In addition, you exhibited insubordination and exposed His Excellency the President of the Republic of Kenya to ridicule,” Mboya stated in the letter.

The disabling of the EAPCC system and the subsequent leadership dispute have sparked widespread speculation about possible sabotage and internal power struggles within the company.

Stakeholders are now calling for a thorough investigation into the matter to ensure accountability and restore public confidence in the management of the state-owned enterprise.

As the 48-hour ultimatum issued by Mboya looms, all eyes are on the government to provide answers and address the growing concerns surrounding the operations and governance of EAPCC.