This archive report was first published on 23 June 2020.
June 23, 2020, marked a difficult day for Royal Media, Kenya's largest media house, as it sent home several employees from its radio department in a bid to stay afloat amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to sources, a number of Radio Citizen presenters, including Syombua Osiany, John Maloba, and Himenigilder Mugeni, will receive redundancy letters. Shix Kapienga, a popular radio personality, is also among those affected.
Shix, born Nancy Wanjiku Karanja, has been hosting 'Drop Zone' on Hot 96 FM from Monday to Thursday, 7 pm-10 pm.
Managing Director Wachira Waruru explained the decision, stating, 'The unprecedented outbreak of the coronavirus in the world and Kenya, in particular, has had serious repercussions on business, including ours. This reality necessitates that we take difficult but necessary measures to see us through this period.'
Waruru also assured staff that the pay cut, which amounts to 30%, is temporary and will be reversed when the pandemic subsides.
Shix took to social media to share a message of hope, writing, 'Good morning 🤗 “Never regret anything that made you smile” #ThisGhettoGirl.'
