in Business

Here Are The Big Names Fired By Uhuru Owned Mediamax as Over 100 Journalists Sent Packing Via SMS

by Paulette Gweth June 22, 2020, 2:25 am

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 21^st 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 22^nd 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