Drama as Tuskys CEO is kicked out of office

Retail supermarket chain Tusky’s Chief Executive Officer Daniel Mwangi Githua was today (Tuesday) thrown out of the franchise headquarter offices on Mombasa road by a group that appears to be the grandchildren of the company’s founder Joram Kamau.

The group calling itself the 3rd generation are accusing the CEO of defying a termination letter issued to him on January 23^rd 2015 and signed by four directors.

“We the Board of Directors of Tusker Mattresses LTD have terminated your services as the CEO of our company with immediate effect,” reads part of the letter seen by Royal Media Services but could not independently verify.

Part of the reasons cited for his termination include conflict of interest, lack of respect towards stakeholders and directors as well as poor performance of the company.

They accused him of running outsourcing firms Artemis Africa Ltd and Artemis Sourcing Ltd which they claim he uses to exploit the Tuskys Company, with Artemis Africa Ltd being used to supply labour force to the company.

Githua, who is the first CEO in the 25-year-history of the supermarket, was fired by the company’s 3rd generation family for allegedly breaching his contract of employment.

In a letter, the company’s Board of Directors stated lack of respect and arrogance to stakeholders as well as having exhibited poor performance of the company compared to previous years.

During the incident, the group accosted him and kicked him out of office after he reported to work.

Githua was hired to steer the retailer, joining from SME financing company Speed Capital, becoming the first non-family member CEO of Tuskys. Prior to serving as CEO Githua had worked as head of audit at Tuskys between 2012 and 2012.

The 26-year-old retailer hired Githua as part of the process of injecting professionalism into its operations as it prepared to list on the Nairobi Securities Exchange.

From the onset it was apparent he would have a hard time taking full control of the company, as siblings wrestled for control of the company.

Founded in 1990 by the late Joram Kamau in Rongai town, Tuskys has grown to be the second largest retailer in the country after Nakumatt with 52 branches in Kenya and Uganda. Until 2007, the retailer went by the banner Tusker Mattresses Limited.

Below is a clip from the morning drama at Tuskys Head office on Mombasa road.