Mediamax Network Limited, the parent company of K24 TV and People Daily, has announced plans to implement another round of job cuts—its sixth in just four years—as the company continues to grapple with a rapidly evolving media landscape. The number of affected employees has not been disclosed.
In an internal memo circulated to staff, CEO Ken Ngaruiya cited a combination of factors driving the decision, including shifting consumer behavior, accelerated digital disruption, and what the company described as punitive government regulations. He also pointed to a challenging macroeconomic environment and a sharp decline in sales volumes, which have forced the company to reassess its operational model and cost structure.
“These issues have further been aggravated by factors affecting the media industry in Kenya, including delays in the settlement of pending bills from both the national and county governments,” Ngaruiya stated. “The national government’s decision to single-source one media entity for advertising, and the introduction of unfavourable conditions on betting and gambling advertising have affected sales.”
As part of the restructuring, affected employees will receive compensation in accordance with Kenyan labor laws. This includes:
- Salaries for days worked up to the termination date,
- Payment in lieu of notice,
- Compensation for accrued leave not taken,
- Severance pay calculated at 15 days for each completed year of service, minus any outstanding obligations to the company.
This latest round of layoffs underscores the broader crisis facing Kenya’s media industry. Traditional media houses are under increasing pressure from shrinking advertising revenues, intensifying digital competition, and tightening government controls. Over the past two years alone, more than 500 journalists and media professionals have lost their jobs as newsrooms across the country struggle to adapt to a digital-first environment.
Mediamax’s announcement follows similar moves by other major players in the industry. In May and June 2024, Nation Media Group (NMG) laid off 16 employees in its fifth wave of job cuts under then-CEO Stephen Gitagama. Just months later, in August 2024, Standard Group retrenched over 300 employees after continued financial losses and operational challenges.
As Kenya’s media ecosystem undergoes a profound transformation, legacy media companies are being forced to rethink their business models, invest in digital innovation, and find new revenue streams to remain viable in an increasingly competitive and regulated environment.
