Bruno Oguda Obodha is a recently appointed Managing Director of East Africa Portland Cement Company (EAPCC), appointed by President William Ruto on December 20, 2024.
His appointment has been controversial; the EAPCC board declined to ratify it due to concerns about integrity and conflict of interest, citing his business connections with companies involved in fraudulent activities.
Despite a court ruling allowing him to assume office, protests from EAPCC workers have occurred, questioning Bruno’s qualifications and the fairness of the appointment process.
Education
Bruno holds an undergraduate degree from Bugema University and a graduate degree from the University of Nairobi.
His educational background supports his extensive experience in sales and management roles across various companies in the country.
Early career
Bruno began his career at KCB Group Plc, one of the largest banks in East Africa, where he worked as a Sales Manager from 2009 to 2012.
In this role, he was responsible for managing sales strategies, developing client relationships, and driving revenue growth.
After his time at KCB, Bruno joined Faulu Kenya Ltd. as a Regional Sales Manager from 2012 to 2013.
At Faulu, a microfinance institution, he focused on expanding the bank’s outreach and improving sales performance across specific regions.
His work involved strategic planning and team leadership, which further honed his skills in sales management.
He then moved to Select Management Services Ltd. in the same period, where he also served as a Sales Manager, overseeing sales operations and enhancing customer engagement.
Later career
In 2014, Bruno took on the role of Head of Sales at Ringier Kenya Ltd., a media company known for its various publications and digital content.
His responsibilities included developing sales strategies for advertising and content distribution.
Later that year, he became the Manager of Country Sales at Paykonnect Ltd., a technology company specializing in payment solutions.
In this position, he managed sales operations and focused on building partnerships to expand the customer base.
From 2015 to 2021, Bruno served as the Director of East Africa Sales at Africa118, Inc., a company that provides digital marketing solutions.
In this pivotal role, he led sales across East Africa, developing market strategies and enhancing brand visibility.
Following this position, he worked at Home Afrika Ltd. in 2021 as the Manager of Direct Sales & Commercial, where he managed direct sales initiatives and commercial operations for a real estate development firm.
East African Portland Cement Company (EAPCC) appointment
President Ruto appointed Bruno as the Managing Director of East African Portland Cement Company (EAPCC) on December 20, 2024.
However, the EAPCC board declined to ratify Obodha’s appointment, leading to operational disruptions.
Employees protested the board’s decision by halting operations at the cement processor.
In response to the impasse, the Employment and Labor Relations Court in Nairobi ruled in favor of Obodha, allowing him to assume the position of Managing Director.
This series of events underscores the complexities involved in leadership transitions within state corporations, especially when appointments are contested by internal governance structures.
