Shock has gripped the media industry after employees at Mediamax Networks Ltd, owned principally by President Uhuru Kenyatta’s family, were notified of their retrenchment via SMS last night.
Employees unlucky enough to be on the Mediamax axe list were notified of their fates through an SMS on Sunday night by various human resources managers
In one message, human resources manager Maureen Wandera wrote; “I am contacting you with regards to the redundancy notice issued on 21st of May 2020.”
“The notice period has expired. Unfortunately your position has been affected by way of redundancy. I would like to invite you to Emory Hotel in Kileleshwa tomorrow, Monday 22nd at 8:55am to discuss what this means to your employment. When you get to the hotel kindly ask for me. We thank you for your indulgence and cooperation in this matter.”
Another message was sent by a HR manager who identified himself as Robert. It must have been a long night for the victims of the layoff as the clock ticked to Monday 8am, when the management begins to engage them over the sacking.
In what is being described in media circles as “a night of massacre”, Mediamax has pushed out over 100 employees in its second round of restructuring in less than a year.
At the Emory Hotel meetings, management says it will be discussing what the redundancy means to those affected, including terminal dues and clearance with the company. Some names had emerged last night and this morning, the list is growing.
This is the second layoff by Mediamax is less than a year. The company says business has slowed down due to the Covid-19 pandemic effects and needs to retrench staff to stay afloat. Insiders, though believe it is using Corona virus outbreak as a scapegoat for internal inefficiencies and mismanagement.
The list includes journalists from People Daily, K24 and the other platforms such as Kameme TV & various radio stations.
1. Tony Kwalanda
2. Mercy Milanoi
3. Sarah Adam
4. Ken Wariahe
5. Bobo
6. Ken Bosire (PD Ag ME)
7. Joel Omoto (PD sports)
8. Nduta (PD magazine)
9. Apopo Mujema
10. Jimmy (K24 business)
11. Fred Indimuli
12. Shiko Mwenda
13. Zacharry Ochuodho
14. James Magayi
15. Shukri Wachu
16. Job Mwaura
17. Rose Gakuo
18. Shon Osimbo
19. Karen Knaust
20. Victor Oloo
21. Apollo Kamau
22. Seth Onyango
23. Munene Nyamu
24. Karen Kibet
25. Douglas Omari
26. Dennis Matara
27. Murimi Mutiga
28. Persia Kinyua
29. Brenda Cheruiyot
30. Caleb Ratemo
31. Joy Kiruki
32. Younice
33. Nancy Onyancha
34. Charity Kiama
35. Alice Nyanjao
36. Patrick Wachira
37. Shadrack Mulei
38. Milcah Ayoslee
39. Sarah Kanyara
40. Dan Kazungu
41. Eric Njoka
42. Eric Ahoy Murithi
