Radio Africa Group has announced potential staff reductions, a decision that could mark the final major move of its long-time Founder and CEO, Patrick Quarcoo, who is set to retire later this month.
In an internal memo to correspondents, the media conglomerate revealed its intention to streamline operations, citing the need for a "leaner and efficient organization."
The memo, seen by Kenyans.co.ke, stated, "Regrettably, this will necessitate some structural changes." This announcement comes just three weeks after Quarcoo disclosed his plans to retire after 24 years at the helm.
Quarcoo, who officially steps down on July 26, reflected on his journey with Radio Africa Group, saying, "When I started Radio Africa Group in 2000, my vision was to create a platform that could inform, inspire, and connect people across Kenya and the continent."
Radio Africa Group, headquartered at Lion's Place along Waiyaki Way, owns several prominent media outlets, including Kiss 100, Classic 105, Radio Jambo, East FM, Smooth FM, and The Star newspaper.
The group's latest move underscores the broader struggles facing legacy media houses in Kenya, as they grapple with declining revenues and evolving media consumption trends.
The memo noted the challenging business environment as the reason behind the changes, stating, "The media industry has been going through tough times in the recent past. These changes have impacted our business model, necessitating unexpected shifts in strategy and structure."
The planned layoffs will be implemented in phases, with a commitment to handling the process with respect and adherence to contractual obligations.
"The exercise will be carried out in batches with utmost respect to all correspondents and by the respective contractual obligations. Further communication will follow in due course," the memo added.
Over the past two years, Radio Africa Group has faced significant challenges in retaining employees.
Research by Apollo.io indicates that from August 2022 to May 2024, the company hired 26 people across various departments but lost 32 employees during the same period. By May 2024, the company had a total of 314 employees.
The announcement comes hot on the heels of firings at the Nation Media Group and global media giant CNN. Already, The Standard Group is facing a revolt as employees downed tools on Wednesday, July 17 to demand seven months of pay.
