Daily Nation Managing Editor Bernard Mwinzi is exiting Nation Media Group (NMG) after serving for 17 years.
Speaking exclusively to Kenyans.co.ke, Mwinzi confirmed that he was leaving to pursue other interests within the media industry but declined to reveal his next move.
"I will still remain in the media ecosystem," he stated.
In a farewell note to the media outlet, Mwinzi confirmed that Friday, June 14, would be his final day at the publisher.
He praised the station's workforce for espousing passion, creativity, and relentless pursuit of excellence and showing a commitment to delivering high-quality journalism.
"The management of Nation Media Group and I have agreed to a cordial parting of ways. My last working day will be June 14, 2024, after which I will start the formal process of exiting this great company," he stated.
"I am confident that as you continue on your newsroom transformation journey, and that as you evolve into a more agile and leaner operation, you will achieve remarkable milestones and set new standards for excellence. This company was built on the strong tradition of public-facing, people-oriented journalism, and both its character and posture have made it a strong pillar of our democracy. As it evolves, it can only get better."
Mwinzi told Kenyans.co.ke that during his stint at NMG, he witnessed the outlet brave turbulent times and implement bold strategies such as a stab at convergence.
"(Nation) has been affected by human resource disruption because there is human resource flight. The talented, the best, and the most experienced are leaving because it is also experiencing the human resource flight which is to me a bad thing but expected," he noted.
"It is navigating a very delicate phase of its life. What I know for sure is that it is going to be here for a long time."
At Nation, Mwinzi served as a sub-editor for five years beginning in 2007 before ascending to work as the weekend Managing Editor.
In 2016, he was appointed an assignment editor from where he rose to serving as a Managing Editor as well as the Health and Science Editor.
His departure comes weeks after the station announced that it was embarking on mass retrenchment after a meeting was held at the station last week.
Reports indicate that the journalists who work at NTV and the print division i.e. Daily Nation, will be the most affected by the exercise.
A different source who spoke on condition of anonymity revealed that the station is likely to be retrenching employees starting this week.
