Troubled Government-owned retail chain store Uchumi has appointed John Karani as Chairman of the Board of Directors in an acting capacity with effect from 24 October 2018, following the retirement of Dr. Catherine Ngahu upon the expiry of her three-year term in office as Chairperson.
A statement from the retailer reads, ‘’The Board acknowledges Dr. Ngahu’s significant contributions to Uchumi, particularly the efforts to identify a potential investor as well as the implementation of various initiatives aimed at stabilizing and turning around the business, and wishes her well in her future endeavors.’’ Uchumi’s Chief executive Officer Mohamed Mohamed said in a statement.
The announcement coming a day after the Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI) took over its headquarters after the retail landlord, Kenya National Trading Corporation (KNTC) locked the retailer out of the premises over unpaid dues.
Mr. Karani has been serving as a Non-Executive Director of the retailer since 2016 and has over two decades of experience having served as the Non-Executive Director is also a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Suppliers Management, Head of Global Procurement at Coca Cola Africa and other senior managerial positions at Wrigleys East Africa Limited as well as GlaxoSmithKline and Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport
Uchumi cash trouble earlier in the year had seen the retail which has over 1,300 employees go without pay for over three months since early January.
Until the end of her tenure, Dr. Ngahu had been serving as a Non-Executive Chair of Uchumi since her appointment to join the retailer in 2016.
