East African Portland Cement Co (EAPCC) has dismissed all of its top managers as part of a restructuring plan that will see the cement producer sell 2000 acres of prime but unused land in Mavoko, Machakos, Kenya, to boost its finances.

A total of 136 supervisors and managers were issued with dismissal notices last week although it is expected to rehire some of them on 40 per cent of their previous pay. “We will give the affected workers first priority to re-apply for their positions under new terms," said Mr Nthei. “We have a workforce whose total cost compared with productivity is very high.”

Junior staff will dismissed later once the two parcels of land have been sold as the company aims to reduce its 800-strong workforce by a quarter.

EAPCC acting Managing Director, Stephen Nthei, said that a new and leaner management team will be in place by 19 October when the dismissed workers will leave the company.