The wave of lay-offs has hit the Kenyan media again with Royal Media Services (RMS) sending home top journalists a few hours after Mediamax sacked more than 50 journalists.
Sources say that several employees in the media house’s radio department have received redundancy letters. One of the journalists sent home is the multi-talented Shiks Kapiengaa comedian, actress and radio presenter at Hot 96.
Some of the other top journalists alleged to have been sent home include Radio Citizen Presenter Syombua Osiany, John Maloba, and Himenigilder Mugeni.
Syombua hosted Pambazuke show from 4am to 6am.
While Kapienga who doubled up as a comedian and actor hosted Drop Zone on Hot 96 FM from Monday to Thursday from &pm to 10 pm.
Radio Ramogi presenters who are also said to have been affected include Chris Pilot, Betty Oketch, Otieno Lactar, Josephine Sirego Nyar Nding’o Opanga, and Adory Nyar Okumu.
Our sources have also established that several other journalists in other departments will face the ax in the coming days.
It’s not the first time the media house sending its employees back home. Back in 2016, the Samuel Macharia-owned media house laid off dozens including reporters and anchors in what the management described as a restructuring move.
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Just like other media houses, Royal Media Services has been adversely been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
In March, the RMS Managing Director announced up to 30 percent salary deductions as part of the media house’s strategy to stay afloat during the tough economic times brought in by the coronavirus pandemic.
“The unprecedented outbreak of the coronavirus in the world and Kenya, in particular, has had serious repercussions on businesses, including ours. This reality necessitates that we take difficult but necessary measures to see us through this period, ” Waruru said a statement to the staff.
“Each staff will be issued with a letter through their supervisor. This reduction is temporary and will be reversed when things return to normal,” Waruru added.
