This archive report was first published on 20 July 2021.
On 16th July 2021, Peter Opondo, a seasoned editor, received a termination letter from Standard Group, citing unsatisfactory performance during his probation period.
According to the letter signed by CEO Orlando Lyomu, Opondo's services were terminated with effect from 16th July 2021, as provided in clause 10 of his contract of employment.
However, insiders at the Standard Centre, the company's head office on Mombasa Road, are linking Opondo's troubles to his connections with Deputy President Dr William Ruto.
It is understood that the main shareholders in the struggling media company, who include President Uhuru Kenyatta's family and Equity Group CEO Dr James Mwangi, forced out the DP and bought off his shares.
Since he joined Standard, it is said William Ruto has been getting more airtime on KTN and KTN News, which rubbed the management the wrong way given that Ruto is a political rival to Baringo Senator Gideon Moi, who incidentally represents the Moi family's interests in the group as main shareholders.
Responding to his sacking on Facebook, Opondo wrote, 'Life isn't all about highs, sometimes it's about lows. We rarely talk about our lows, so let me share mine. This past week, the Standard Group PLC sacked me. There was no formal appraisal or feedback, there was no documentation or minutes about my alleged performance shortcomings…They then asked me to either sign the termination letter or resign on my own volition to
