Financial hardships faced by Standard Group Employees have boiled over with one journalist, frustrated with living from hand to mouth, threatened to end his own life. The development, which left Standard Group with egg on the face but unmoved, touched off sympathetic reactions from a cross-section of stakeholders, including former Standard Group journalists who found greener pastures elsewhere.
The journalist identified as Zanji Mukenya is said to be on sabbatical. Mukenya threatened to do the unthinkable in protest over delayed payment by the Standard Group, which is understood to be holding salary arrears of up to nine months for some employees.
In a video circulated on social media, Mukenya is heard saying he would leave the Standard Group premises in two ways – with his money or lifeless. “Hopefully you guys see this when I’m still alive. I’m leaving here with my money or with my life in their hands,” he says in the video.
Mukenya alleges that SG had refused to pay him. It is perhaps the first hard reality to confront newly appointed CEO, Ms Marion Gathoga, on the dire situation facing the company he hopes to steer out of financial ruins.
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In its statement, the Standard Group management said the issue had profoundly affected the company, “and we want to express our sincere empathy and concern for our colleague”.
Standard Media Group acknowledged the severe impact that the delay in payments has had on employees, especially given the challenging financial circumstances that the company is going through.
While Standard Group said it remains fully committed to addressing and resolving all outstanding salary arrears, it did not offer any concrete timelines on when this would be done, dimming hopes of any deal soon.
“We are working diligently to provide support to our employees during this difficult time. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we continue to work through these challenges,” it said.
For Standard employees, it has been double suffering: some of those with salary arrears have been served with redundancy letters, making a bad situation worse. It is hoped that Standard Group, under Ms Gathoga, will turnaround its fortunes. But that will take time, yet of immediate concern is the welfare of staff who need money first and counselling a little later.
