By Kepher Otieno
The Government has given approval to South Nyanza Sugar Company Ltd (Sony Sugar) to implement its revised Human Resource (HR) instruments.
This approval comes after 17 years, with the last approval granted in 2007.
The 17-year gap since the last HR instruments approval in 2007 had made it difficult for Sony sugar to confirm employees who have been serving on contract for extended periods.
“This delay in approval created challenges in formalizing employment statuses and addressing career progression for contracted staff,’’ MD Martine Dima said.
But the latest approval should now help the miller resolve HR issues and streamline employee confirmations and other HR-related processes to make the workers feel motivated to do their best.
The approved instruments include Career Guidelines, Organizational Structure, Grading Structure, and Staff Establishment.It also has the new HR Policy and Procedure manual, which are compiled in three publications to guide the organization in management.
These HR guidelines were officially presented to Sony Sugar by the State Corporations Advisory Committee (SCAC) Board Chairman, Mr. Patrick Mong’ony, and CEO, Mr. Simon Indimuli at Sony.Sony Sugar currently employs over 1,500 staff, with three-quarters of them serving on renewable contracts.
Additionally, 98 percent of the permanent and pensionable staff holds acting roles across various positions.
However, with the approval of the new HR instruments, the company can now offer improved terms for its employees.
These new provisions will bring more structure to contracts, promotions, and overall staff development, ensuring fairer and more stable employment conditions for both contracted and permanent staff.
The approval of the revised HR instruments for Sony Sugar, Dima told the press is a significant step toward aligning the company’s HR practices with legal and structural guidelines.
Mong’ony, representing SCAC, emphasized that the approval legally anchors Sony Sugar HR practices.
He also advised the company to roll out the new HR instruments strategically over time and slowly as they look forward to better remuneration of the employees to boost their work morale.
These HR instruments, submitted to SCAC in October 2023, provide comprehensive guidelines on recruitment, management, remuneration, and human resource development.
In July 2024, the SCAC board conducted a visit to Sony Sugar to verify the existence and implementation of the elements outlined in the submitted documents.
Mr. Dima said Sony Sugar can now recruit, promote, and remunerate staff in accordance with government procedures, which strengthens its operational foundation.
The firm’s Board of Directors Chairman Mr. Jared Kopiyo urged SCAC to properly advise the government on the differences in business models between government and private millers.
He stressed the need for government millers to receive better support, especially regarding subsidies and regulatory frameworks.
Kopiyo also highlighted the disparity between government and private millers, emphasizing that government-owned millers lack adequate cushioning in terms of subsidies and sectoral regulations.
He urged SCAC to advise the government on creating a more level playing field for government millers.
Indimuli, CEO of SCAC, congratulated Sony Sugar for being the first sugar company in Kenya to have its Human Resource (HR) Instruments approved by the government.
“This milestone positions Sony Sugar as a leader in aligning HR practices with legal and structural requirements in the sugar industry,’’ said Indimuli.
The Company Board of directors present during the handing of the HR instruments by SCAC, included Douglas Kailanya and Mary Were from Sony Sugar.
SCAC officials Mary Mugo, Catherine Ng’ang’a, and Caroline Cherono Kilisha and SonySugar senior management were also present.
