In a dramatic turn of events, Presenters at Radio Maisha, a well-known radio station in Kenya, abruptly left their studio early this morning, causing the station to play nonstop music since six o’clock in the morning. The workers of the Standard Media Group, which owns Radio Maisha, Spice FM, Berur FM, and Vybez Radio, are participating in a wider protest with this extraordinary move.
The protracted delays in salary payments were the catalyst for the July 4, 2024, strike. Workers said they hadn’t received pay in several months; others said they hadn’t received pay for February 2024. When the administration ignored their complaints, the presenters’ annoyance became unbearable and they resorted to extreme measures.
When listeners tuned in to Radio Maisha, they were taken aback to see that the station was playing nonstop music instead of live presenters. The seriousness of the issue was underscored by the absence of the customary vibrant discussions and interactive elements. Presenters from other Standard Media Group stations, such as Vybez Radio, Berur FM, and Spice FM, left their stations in a similar situation and joined the demonstration as well.
The workers have made their demands known, asking for the management to promise to pay the arrears in full as well as the prompt payment of their past-due salary. They have also demanded improved working conditions and more open communication from the management of the organization.
The walkout has drawn significant attention from the public and media, with many expressing solidarities with the presenters. The Kenya Union of Journalists and the Media Council of Kenya have also weighed in, urging the Standard Media Group to resolve the issue promptly and fairly.
The Standard Media Group has been facing financial difficulties, so this protest comes at a terrible moment. For the year ending in December 2023, the company recorded a significant loss of Ksh1.26 billion, with lower advertising revenue and higher operating costs being the main contributing factors. The repeated layoffs and retrenchments brought on by these economic difficulties have strained the management-employee relationship even further.
The future of live programming on Radio Maisha and other impacted stations is still unknown as the situation develops. Fans are left wondering when their favorite shows will return to the air because the presenters have promised to keep up their protest until their requests are fulfilled.
The Standard Media Group has yet to issue an official statement addressing the walkout and the employees’ demands. In the meantime, the public and industry stakeholders are closely monitoring the developments, hoping for a swift and amicable resolution to the crisis.
