The world is virtually on collapse and every industry is facing the harsh reality of Coronavirus (Covid-19), from media to health, to restaurants to the education sector and various employers are finding ways to shield their staff.
On Friday, April 17, MediaMax, which runs K24 TV and Milele FM announced a pay-cut of between 20 per cent and 50 per cent for all its staff to cushion the company in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, joining Citizen TV which also directed its employees to adapt to a 20 to 30 per cent reduction of their gross monthly salary.
Enthusiastic K24 TV anchor, Shiksha Arora, while speaking to Kenyans.co.ke on Saturday, April 18, detailed how she had laid down measures for herself and how she could cope up with the unprecedented time, stating that it was a time one had to understand that every measure set up was necessary and crucial.
Shiksha Arora
"It’s just a sad state of affairs everywhere. It’s time for me to turn to my savings for now. My side hustle which is dancing is on halt at the moment.
"We also have to cut down on the spending by 50 per cent too now and take things a day at a time. We will continue doing our job with due diligence," Shiksha informed.
The media personality is among a few celebrities who have lighted up social media during this trying moment, which her dance videos going viral, as she set out to share light moments with her fans.
Betty Kyalo
Apart from savings, a number of MediaMax journalists have ventured into businesses and side-hustles. Betty Kyalo, who hosts Weekend with Betty is a business magnate and an entrepreneur in the fashion industry. Flair With Betty offers a range of beauty-related services.
The parlour is located in the Kilimani area, at the FCB Mihrab building along Lenana Road.
However, as a business owner, Kyalo may also be analysing ways to cushion her own employees, with salons and beauty parlours among one of the most watched businesses by the MoH. Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe insisted that salons and barbershops must adhere to social-distancing and offer masks to customers. Betty Kyalo shut down her spa on Tuesday, March 24.
"I hope this finds you and your families well. This special communication comes in the wake of the effects of Coronavirus. It is indeed a difficult time for our beautiful country, continent and the world.
"I believe that the health and well-being of our clients and staff is supreme and should be jealously guarded and with that in mind we have decided to suspend operations as per government guidance until we get clearance that business can continue as usual. This is effective from Tuesday (March 24)," a notice by Kyalo reads on the spa's Instagram page.
Felix Odiwour (Jalang'o)
The flamboyant comedian and Milele FM radio presenter is a major supplier of eggs across the country's capital city, Nairobi.
Speaking with Kenyans.co.ke in February 2020, Jalang'o detailed that his major side hustles have been raking in millions for the past four years.
"I don't own chicken, I just buy my eggs directly from farmers - mostly from Lari, Kikuyu, and Limuru, then sell them on to major hotels across Nairobi. I handle at least 6000-7000 crates of eggs each week.
"Nairobi residents consume a lot, and I mean a lot of eggs every single day. For example, when we take our 7000 crates to a place like the Intercontinental Hotel, you'd find that they need at least 10,000 of those each week," he disclosed.
With food suppliers listed as essential service providers, giving them the liberty to traverse the nation during the nationwide curfew and the lockdown imposed on Nairobi, Kilifi, Mombasa and Kwale Counties, the emcee may soon turn to his side-hustle as a major income earner.
