Two top editors at the Chris Kirubi-owned Capital Group have resigned to venture into private practice, sources have told Business Today, a day after veteran senior presenter Cess Mutungi told her fans she would also be quitting on Friday this week.
Editorial Director Michael Mumo and Special Projects Editor Rob Jillo are currently serving a one-month notice period after tendering their resignation letters.
Business Today has learnt that Kirubi reluctantly accepted the resignation of the duo, who have been working at the Lonrho House headquarted media house since 2003.
Sources close to both Mumo and Jillo said the two want to concentrate on private consultancy and other business ventures.
“They felt that after more than a decade in the newsroom, it is time to do something else and leave the space for a new generation of journalists. I hear they are eyeing consultancy and also have other business interests in town,” he told BT.
Mumo, who boasts of experience in both print and electronic media, is a 2007-8 Chevening scholar who undertook his Masters degree in International Journalism at City University in London, and holds a BA degree from Daystar University in Nairobi.
He joined Capital in 2003 as News Editor and was named Editorial Director in 2006.
Prior to joining the media house, he worked at the Nation Media Group in its broadcast division (radio and TV) and previously its print division as a reporter and editor. In 2015, he was among four Kenyan journalists who accompanied Pope Francis and reported on his three-nation Africa tour.
On his part, Jillo, who has a special liking for digital media, was the first Online Editor for Capital Group. Previously, he worked as a court reporter.
He holds a degree in Journalism from the University of Nairobi and holds a diploma in Mass Communication.
Previous reports had indicated that Capital Group was undertaking a restructuring programme that would see staff salaries slashed by 25% from next month, but this have since been dismissed as fake news.
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However, media houses in Kenya are going through lean times due to reduced print sales and ad revenue thanks to a grim economy that is virtually in recession.
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