Update: Veteran Radio presenter Hassan Mwana wa Ali on Saturday, February 18, announced his exit from Radio Maisha after a 13-year stint at the Standard Media Group.
He announced his departure during the last edition of his Nuru ya Lugha morning show and also published a farewell message in his column in The Nairobian.
The media industry in Kenya and around the world is facing unprecedented times. The future is bleak and jobs are on the line. From redundancy notices to unpaid salaries, journalists, especially in the mainstream are staring at uncertain days ahead.
In Kenya, The Standard Group has been in the news since an internal memo dated September 30, 2022, revealed that a looming mass firing would be effected, across various departments at the giant media house. The listed company is over 100 years old. The Standard Group is indeed not a startup.
The company prides of strong brands that have become household names among Kenyans over the years. These brands under its enviable portfolio include, KTN News, KTN Home, Radio Maisha, Farmers TV, Burudani TV, Spice FM and Vybez Radio.
It therefore goes without saying that it is home to seasoned and budding journalists and media practitioners, running into hundreds, who depend on it for their daily bread.
Over the past three months, a period of uncertainty has filled the cash-strapped media house- with journalists unsettled over their future as clutch on nothing but hope.
Sources close to the company revealed that over three months' salary arrears rattled the staff. Many are running on empty and accumulating debts to survive, with almost no sign of the likelihood of things changing in the near future.
"Guys have not been paid for like three months. The last time we were paid was for August which was remitted in September.
"They should pay on the 26th of every month. There are those people who can't come to work naturally because they do not have money," a source revealed to Kenyans.co.ke on November 2, 2022.
The redundancy Axe
After months of waiting, the Standard Group began dishing out dismissal letters on Monday, January 16, in what appears to be the top management's decision to bite the bullet.
Kenyans.co.ke is in receipt of confidential messages from either fired staff or those who chose to disembark from what can be described as a sinking ship if the recent events are anything to go by.
Here are the latest talents to sign off at the Mombasa Road-based firm:
1. Fredrick Odeo Sirari, a news editor at Standard Media Group, announced his exit, as confirmed by sources privy to the matter who shared with Kenyans.co.ke his final message to his colleagues.
"Today was my last day at work. It has been more than four and a half years of pure ‘’enjoyment’’ working with so many wonderful people at the Standard Group Center, a very beautiful workplace- I will miss the ample parking and the cafeteria.
"Sweet memories of the sundowners and TGIF. I will miss all of you very good colleagues, whom we created every opportunity to make fun and crack jokes even at our lowest moments," read part of his farewell message.
In his farewell message, Odeo did not state whether he had been axed or resigned to pursue other interests.
Unknown to many Kenyans, Odeo has a decorated media career. The man from Busia County had stints at KBC, the BBC, Radio Africa Group and Royal Media Services.
2. Frank Otieno
Seasoned journalist, Frank Otieno tendered his resignation after amassing 15 years in the company. Otieno, renowned for pioneering Dau la Elimu show on KTN News, also had a managerial role for Newspapers in Education.
Mwalimu Frank, a teacher by profession is a bilingual journalist, even though the Swahili language has a special place in his heart.
3. Ted Malanda
Associate editor, Ted Malanda also announced his exit from the Media House; amassing 11 years. After joining the company in 2003.
Ted, also a teacher by profession, worked as a columnist at the Standard Newspaper before becoming an associate editor, at Standard Group in 2013.
The witty writer from Harambee, in Kakamega County, played a key role in the establishment and growth of The Nairobian and Crazy Monday.
4. Jacob Ayoo
Broadcast Director, Jacob Ayoo took to LinkedIn to announce that he had received a redundancy letter via email. Ayoo, who amassed nine years, noted that the firing was a blessing in disguise as his new quest would be to venture out and explore experiences.
"The first thing I saw when I got up yesterday was an email. My former employer did really declare me redundant.
"This is an indication that 2023 is going to be a very great year for me. I just cannot wait to see what is waiting for me on the other side of the world. My quest to become the Emperor of the World has finally been successful," the statement read in part.
Other journalists such as Dr. Mercy Korir, news anchor Sharon Momanyi and seasoned Foreign Affairs editor, Lilian Odera exited the company towards the end of 2022. John Mwaura, a talented editor was also poached by NTV.
Vybez Radio Presenter Sheila Kwamboka also announced her exit from the station and found a new home at Radio Africa's Kiss 100.
Kenyans.co.ke also understands that even receptionists at the company's headquarters and around the country in regional offices have not been spared.
The company currently consists of top executives and managers including Orlando Lyomu (CEO), Ochieng Rapuro (Editor in chief), Kizito Namulanda (intake editor), Kipkoech Tanui (managing editor), Tom Japanni (Head of Radio) and Sophia Wanuna (Deputy Editor-Broadcast).
Top news anchors left at the station include Ken Mijungu, Fred Indimuli, Ashley Mazuri, Brenda Czeda Radido, Jesse Rodgers, George Maringa, Ali Manzu, Mary Atwoli Kilobi and Zubeidah Kananu.
The TV's sports desk is manned by Hassan Juma (Jumaaaaaaa), Moses Wakhisi and Robinson Okenye. For full-length coverage of news across the country, senior reporters include Chris Thairu and Jeff Kirui who lead the political front and the flawless Rita Tinina.
5. Patrick Amimo
As of Wednesday, February 15, seasoned KTN journalist, Patrick Amimo, announced his exit from the Mombasa-road based station.
He worked as a senior reporter and bureau Chief during his tenure.
As of Thursday, February 2, several journalists exited Radio Maisha over job security concerns.
These included Eric Wambugu (producer), Irene Kaimuri (producer), Geoffrey Mung'ou (News editor), Lynda Oriaso (programs controller) and Beatrice Maganga (News reader).
An insider revealed to Kenyans.co.ke that Oriaso and others are set to join Radio 47.
We are updating the list as and when we get the information, so keep refreshing this page for updates.
