State owned National Oil Corporation has appointed Sumayya Hassan-Athmani as the acting head pending next month's recruitment of a managing director.

The outgoing head, Mwendia Nyaga, is set to leave office on September 12 amid claims of boardroom disagreements that saw him decline the junior position of deputy managing director.

A statement from the oil firm said Mrs Hassan-Athmani, who has been deputy managing director for three years, takes the helm as human resources consultants Hawkins Associates completes the search for an MD.

Strong leader

"In Sumayya Hassan-Athmani we have a strong leader who has earned the respect of the board and has been central to the company's strategic growth plans," said Peter Munga, the chairman of the company's board in the statement on Monday.

Last week, Business Daily exclusively revealed details of the restructuring plan through which Mr Nyaga was meant to head an independent unit within the firm, a move seen as a demotion.

Under the plan, the corporation was to create an independent unit charged with exploration and production of petroleum which is supposed to be headed by a deputy managing director, leaving its current marketing and distribution roles to the managing director.

The fallout with the board was said to be linked to targets set under the government's performance contract, but Mr Nyaga insisted his exit was not linked to performance.