This archive report was first published on 2 July 2020.
On July 2, 2020, Nation Media Group (NMG) started a major restructuring process, laying off senior editors and managers as it shifts gears to accelerate its digital transformation.
The layoffs began with the newspaper section, where 40 journalists were targeted, and management before moving to NTV the next day.
Among those affected were Nation Newspaper Division Managing Director Francis Munywoki, partnerships & projects manager David Aduda, Business Daily Managing Editor Ng'ang'a Mbugua, and Daily Nation News Editor Francis Wanyonyi Wambilianga.
Others included editions editor Mark Agutu, agriculture editor Julius Sigei, Gabriel Chege of IT, Veronica Chirchir (HR), output editor Joe Mbuthia, Martin Mwangi (Deputy Chief Sub Editor), and Revise Editor Henry Gekonde.
Nancy Ogutu, Peter Choge, and Momanyi Maosa from the online department/Nation Digital were also shown the door.
David Aduda, who previously worked as editorial manager, negotiated an exit package, allowing him to offer critical editorial services under NMG's new outsourcing model.
Others who negotiated exit packages included George Omondi (Business Daily, Section Editor) and Eldoret regional editor (bureau chief) Jeremiah Kiplagat.
Ng'ang'a Mbugua was promoted in January 2019, moving from Daily Nation to Managing Editor of Business Daily, while Joe Mbuthia was promoted to Production Editor/Head of Production to output editor.
Peter Choge and Momanyi Maosa were on contracts as online sub-editors, which expired and were not renewed.
Finance Senior Internal Auditor Alex Shikami was also kicked out.
Munywoki joined NMG in November 2017 from Standard Group and was expected to reengineer the newspaper section to make it more profitable.
However, the newspaper division, NMG's flagship and cash cow, has been losing business by the week, cutting revenues and profitability.
The 40 editorial staff will continue receiving their letters up to next week, with some of the affected employees, especially younger ones, expected to be recalled starting August to work on contracts.
The Group is targeting to lay off over 100 employees.
Interestingly, most affected employees are male, despite NMG Group Editorial Director Mutuma Mathiu's promise last year to 'protect ladies' as much as he could.
The layoffs come at a very tricky time when most media houses are offloading employees to survive the Covid-19 pandemic disruption.
