I elected to move on, Star editor David Makali reveals

The Star Head of Content David Makali has denied that he was shown the door by Radio Africa management, saying he opted not to renew his contract.

The veteran editor is set to leave Lion’s Place on Friday exactly one year since he joined the media house on a one-year renewable contract.

“He was on a one-year renewable contract. But Radio Africa has been doing badly especially after the government failed to pay millions of shillings it owes the media house in ad revenue. It is really struggling,” a source told Business Today on Monday morning, adding it was not related to his performance on the job.

In a text message to BT, Makali confirmed he will be leaving, but terms reports that his contract was not renewed as “extreme malice.”

“Hmm…so how have I been shown the door when my contract was for one year and I have elected to move on?” he posed.

When he was appointed, Makali, who has worked with nearly all the leading media houses in the country, was expected to help turn around the fortunes of Kenya’s youngest daily newspaper at a time when print media is facing fierce competition from digital technology.

However, with a diminishing financial muscle, it was a herculean task from the beginning as he could not attract talent.

Due to poor performance in terms of circulation and adverts, management had last year earmarked the newspaper for closure after elections to focus more on digital. But the plan was shelved and Makali brought on board.