The troubles facing the mainstream media in Kenya have escalated after the Nation Media Group (NMG) fired 15 journalists as part of its reorganisation strategy.
The layoff was part of a restructuring process that started in June last year and is aimed at making the business more responsive to the changing trends in the media sector worldwide.
In 2015, NMG shut down a number of its outlets including QTV, QFM, and Nation FM.
The decision saw tens of employees lose their jobs including big names such as Jeff Koinange, Ciru Muriuki, Sanaipei Tande, Antoneosoul among others.
In December last year, NMG’s head of corporate and regulatory affairs Clifford Machoka revealed that the layoff would continue in 2017.
“We are now reorganizing all our operations across the group...Regrettably, this will result in a reduction of our workforce through job redundancies. This exercise will be undertaken January 2017 with due respect to our employees and within the provisions of the law,” Machoka stated.
Reports now indicate that the reorganisation has been completed this month after 15 journalists were exited from the Aga Khan-owned media company.
Earlier in the week, the company’s CEO Joe Muganda was forced to intervene as staff panicked over the uncertainty in the layoff.
Muganda assured the staff that the process of exorcising redundant employees had been completed.
Top media houses in Kenya have had to lay off employees as they adapt to changing trends in the economy.
Here is the full list:
1. Eric Shimoli – News Editor
2. Ken Walibora – Quality Manager, Kiswahili
3. Sammy Wambua – Editor, Counties
4. Mary Wasike – Editor, Op-Ed
5. Pamela Wanambisi – Sub-editor Sports,
6. Felista Wangari – Sub-editor Saturday Magazine,
7. Esther Karuru – Sub-editor Sunday Nation,
8. Victor Siele – Sub-Editor, Taifa Leo)
9. Zadock Angira – Crime Reporter
10. Waga Odongo – Writer
11. Farayi Nyandoro – Sub-Editor (Zimbabwean journalist)
12. Domitila Katila – Editorial
13. Connie Mwangemi
14. Pamela Abwoga
15. Liz Gitonga
