Cheers broke out among employees of Standard Media Group following the announcement of Editor-in-Chief Ochieng Rapuro’s resignation, along with Chief Finance Officer Wesley Kimosop, marking what staff referred to as the end of a tyrannical period in the newsroom.
The two submitted their resignations in the final week of December amid a crackdown at the Moi family-owned media organization, which has been struggling with financial difficulties and internal mismanagement.
Sources indicated that Rapuro’s departure was influenced by pressure related to purported questionable dealings with suppliers and service providers, with one insider remarking, “He had no option but to leave before the situation worsened.”
Kimosop, who started working at the company in December 2023 after transferring from Access Bank, also resigned after only a year, with insiders connecting his exit to the ongoing investigations into financial discrepancies at the firm.
Employees expressed joy at Rapuro’s resignation, citing relief and describing him as a sadist who oversaw the removal of experienced journalists like Roselyne Obala, Moses Nyamori, Linda Ogutu, and Geoffrey Mosoku.
One worker commented, “It’s a welcome relief for a person who made our lives intolerable. His resignation gives us hope for a new beginning.”
Rapuro apparently resigned on December 30 after he was called in to provide a statement regarding allegations of misappropriating company funds. Efforts to contact him for a response were unsuccessful.
The Standard Group, a historic media company in Kenya, has been facing financial difficulties, resulting in current and former staff going unpaid for several months.
Some former employees have resorted to casual work to make a living, while others have encountered eviction and had to withdraw their children from private educational institutions.
In July 2024, the company announced the redundancy of over 300 employees, vowing to implement a one-year payment plan for those let go.
However, the promised payments for September, October, and November have not been fulfilled, leading to dissatisfaction among the affected workers.
“There’s nothing more distressing than being deserted after dedicating yourself to a company. Many of us are left in dire straits,” lamented a former staff member.
Insiders suggest that more departures are likely as majority shareholder Gideon Moi aims to restore stability and revitalize the organization.
Veteran journalist Chacha Mwita has been mentioned as a potential successor for Rapuro, but the precise timing of his appointment remains uncertain.
Rapuro, who began his tenure at the Standard Group in 2019 following a period at Nation Media Group, departs with a legacy clouded by accusations of mismanagement and harshness.
Employees continue to look forward to meaningful change with his exit from the troubled media organization.
Cheers broke out among employees of Standard Media Group following the announcement of Editor-in-Chief Ochieng Rapuro’s resignation, along with Chief Finance Officer Wesley Kimosop, marking what staff referred to as the end of a tyrannical period in the newsroom.
The two submitted their resignations in the final week of December amid a crackdown at the Moi family-owned media organization, which has been struggling with financial difficulties and internal mismanagement.
Sources indicated that Rapuro’s departure was influenced by pressure related to purported questionable dealings with suppliers and service providers, with one insider remarking, “He had no option but to leave before the situation worsened.”
Kimosop, who started working at the company in December 2023 after transferring from Access Bank, also resigned after only a year, with insiders connecting his exit to the ongoing investigations into financial discrepancies at the firm.
Employees expressed joy at Rapuro’s resignation, citing relief and describing him as a sadist who oversaw the removal of experienced journalists like Roselyne Obala, Moses Nyamori, Linda Ogutu, and Geoffrey Mosoku.
One worker commented, “It’s a welcome relief for a person who made our lives intolerable. His resignation gives us hope for a new beginning.”
Rapuro apparently resigned on December 30 after he was called in to provide a statement regarding allegations of misappropriating company funds. Efforts to contact him for a response were unsuccessful.
The Standard Group, a historic media company in Kenya, has been facing financial difficulties, resulting in current and former staff going unpaid for several months.
Some former employees have resorted to casual work to make a living, while others have encountered eviction and had to withdraw their children from private educational institutions.
In July 2024, the company announced the redundancy of over 300 employees, vowing to implement a one-year payment plan for those let go.
However, the promised payments for September, October, and November have not been fulfilled, leading to dissatisfaction among the affected workers.
“There’s nothing more distressing than being deserted after dedicating yourself to a company. Many of us are left in dire straits,” lamented a former staff member.
Insiders suggest that more departures are likely as majority shareholder Gideon Moi aims to restore stability and revitalize the organization.
Veteran journalist Chacha Mwita has been mentioned as a potential successor for Rapuro, but the precise timing of his appointment remains uncertain.
Rapuro, who began his tenure at the Standard Group in 2019 following a period at Nation Media Group, departs with a legacy clouded by accusations of mismanagement and harshness.
Employees continue to look forward to meaningful change with his exit from the troubled media organization.
