This archive report was first published on 3 July 2020.
July 3, 2020 - The sudden dismissal of Kenyan journalist Ken Mijungu from NTV has left many in shock, with fans and colleagues taking to social media to express their emotions.
According to Mijungu, he was given a two-page letter of termination, effectively ending his seven-year stint at the media house.
"The axe fell NTV newsroom and I was on its way. Seven years in those corridors summed up in a two-page letter of termination. We live to fight another day. Thanks to God, he remains the greatest, thank you NTV Kenya for the opportunity and thank you for always staying tuned," he confirmed.
NTV's mass layoffs, which began on June 2, are part of the media house's cost-cutting measures as it shifts its focus to digital transformation.
"Further, this new reality (COVID-19) necessitates the reengineering of Nation Media Group to accelerate its digital transformation. This will include focusing on resourcing people in new areas critical for the Group. Regrettably, this will result in a reduction of our workforce," said NTV's CEO Stephen Gitagama.
Many Kenyans believe that there is more to Mijungu's dismissal than meets the eye, with some speculating that it may be a result of the media house's efforts to cut costs.
Here are some of the emotional messages fans sent to Mijungu:
- "All good things must come to an end in order for something even better to begin. Congratulations on your new opportunity to find a new job," tweeted Hassan Mutubwa.
- "There is very little if any hope in the Kenyan media industry, I have had to figure out what to do when I finally graduate other than sending a bunch of emails applying for jobs, which I surely know I will be dumped one day. Ken Mijungu it shall be well," said Rogers SK.
