Standard Media Group has started laying off employees as part of its strategy to reduce operational costs by trimming its payroll. The retrenchment has not spared some of its senior journalists.
Reports reaching Business Today indicate that two deputy managing editors – Peter Okong’o (daily) and Dorcas Muga (weekend) applied for early retirement and, accordng to source, Ms Muga received an letters. For Mr Okong’o, however, the company opted not to renew his contract, which expired on July 31.
The other big c********s are prolific weekend writers Juma Kwayera and Oscar Obonyo, whose applications for voluntary retirement have been accepted.
The other writers who have received similar letters include Stephen Makabila (weekend) and Kwamboka Oyaro (features) as well as KTN sports reporter, Joshua Kemboi. George Mulala, the photo editor, is also leaving, as well as Peter Choge, a sub-editor on the Saturday Standard.
The staff had been given the option of voluntary retirement by their CEO Sam Shollei a month ago.
“It’s bad news here,” said a senior Standard journalist. “Most guys who applied for voluntary retirement have been given letters….including dependable ones we thought the company could hold onto. We are waiting for redundancy between now and 27th. The newsroom is already a skeleton.”
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