All is not well at SK Macharia’s Royal Media Services.
On Wednesday this week, Group Managing Director Wachira Waruru sent a memo to all staff informing them of looming layoffs.
Wachira said that developments within the broadcasting industry over the past two years have adversely affected their business environment, and hence a reduction in workforce is necessary.
Here’s the memo.
According to reports, up to 100 Royal Media employees will lose their jobs. The first batch consists of some very well known faces, among them business news anchor Terryanne Chebet and morning presenter Kirigo Ng’arua.
Here’s the full list of sacked employees as seen by Kenyans.co.ke.
| List of Sacked Royal Media Services Employees |
|---|
| 1. Terryanne Chebet – News Anchor 2. Kirigo Ng’arua – News Anchor 3. Jemima Mungai – Editor 4. Mercy Oburu – Editor 5. Abdi Osman – Editor 6. Mathangani Mwenda – Editor 7. Shisia Wasilwa – Editor Citizen TV 8. Victor Kenani – Citizen TV reporter 9. Anunda Sakwa – Radio Presenter 10. Elizabeth Omolo – Radio Presenter 11. John Marete – Head of Camera 12. Beatrice Njoki – Camera 13. Brian Okutoyi – Creative 14. Philip Muruttu – Radio Reporter 15. Nasteha Mohammed – Radio Reporter 16. Young – Editor Radio department 17. Moses Kuria – Camera 18. Beatrice Kariuki – Camera 19. Dominic Njiru – Camera 20. Anthony Kamau – Camera 21. Shelmith Wanjiru – Transmission 22. Bosco Baya – Transmission 23. Anthony Mugambi – Transmission 24. Cyrus Njiru – Head of Technical 25. Alex Makarau 26. Agao Patrobas 27. Crispin Njogu 28. Gladys Kigo 29. Paul Ngandu 30. Emily BV 31. Leah Ngari 32. Gichuru Makena 33. Maureen Murimi – Digital 34. Nganju – Technician |
According to unconfirmed reports, part of the reasons RMS fired Terryanne Chebet is her high salary. The company has been on a cost-cutting mission and the business anchor’s salary was seen as high enough to pay more than 5 people.
Also according to the rumours, Terryanne’s workrate was not very impressive.
Kirigo Ngarua was reportedly sacked for low ratings. She hosted the morning show with Willis Raburu (who still has his job), but was seen as lacking the latter’s energy. She was also earning a colossal salary making her a prime target for cost-cutting.
