Comedian and Presenter Felix Odiwuor popularly known as Jalang’o is among the journalists fired from Mediamax following the Sunday night retrenchment.
Jalang’o has however claimed that he resigned following a lack of agreement on the terms of employment with the Human Resource manager.
“Today has been a very amazing day and a sad day with everyone at my work Place at Mediamax. COVID-19 hit hard and everyone has to have their belts tight and unfortunately, Mediamax has been hit too…I was not at work today because we had not agreed on a lot of things and terms and even as we speak my HR had me on hold still discussing terms of employment,” read an Instagram post in part.
He further continued, “Unfortunately we dint agree. So just like today, I won’t be at work tomorrow or any other day…In short Last Friday was my last day at Milele Fm and I want to thank everyone who supported me and every fan who was with that to the point we became the most popular and No 1 Radio Station in the country.”
Read: Prepare For The Mother Of All Legal Battles – KUJ Tells Mediamax Over Unfair Mass Firing
Yesterday, the Kenya Union of Journalists (KUJ) faulted Mediamax Network Ltd CEO Ken Ngaruya for ordering for the firing of over 100 employees at night, through SMS’s.
In a statement, KUJ secretary-general Erick Oduor said that the move was a contravention of the law and unfair best practices that Labour and Employment Court has ruled against In similar cases brought before it in the past.
“The process requires consultation and engagement with the affected employees before such decision Is made. Indeed, Mr Ngaruya has made history In labour relations as the first CEO to implement Section 40 of Employment Act and Article 41 of the Constitution through an SMS. What a shame! The illegal exercise disguised as redundancy negates the existence of the company which was incorporated as a news production and dissemination entity because it appears the so-called restructuring has disbanded newsroom,” said Mr Oduor.
Read Also: “We Can’t Breathe”, Frustrated Mediamax Staffers Reach Out To Uhuru Over Unpaid Dues
Oduor further said that Ngaruya had taken advantage of the Covid-19 situation to mistreat employees by slashing and withholding their salaries and added that the company should prepare for the mother of all legal battles.
Here is a list of other journalists who have been fired from Mediamax:
1. Douglas Omari
2. Murimi Mutiga
3. Persia Kinyua
4. Brenda Cheruiyot
5. Caleb Ratemo
6. Joy Kiruki
7. Younice
8. Nancy Onyancha
9. Charity Kiama
10. Alice Nyanjao
11. Shadrack Mulei
12. Milcah Ayoslee
13. Sarah Kanyara
14. Dan Kazungu
15. Eric Njoka
16. Eric Ahoy Murithi
17. Chris Mburu
18. Steve mburu
19. Sarah Kanyara
20. Sarah Kamau
21. Kipkeoch Kimugo
22. Veronica Mwangi
23. Sarah Adam
24. Zacharry Ochuodho
25. Shiko Mwenda
26. Rose Gakuo
27. Shon Osimbo
28. Karen Knaust
29. Victor Oloo
30. Seth Onyango
31. Munene Nyamu
32. Karen Kibet
33. Kimani Githuku (reporter).
34. Features Reporter Dennis Matara
35. Sports anchor Tony Kwalanda
36. Fred Indimuli (9pm News Anchor/Editor)
37. People Daily Managing Editor Ken Bosire
38. People Daily Revise Editor Patrick Wachira.
39. Ken Bosire (People Daily Acting Managing Editor)
40. Joel Omoto (People Daily sports)
41. Nduta (People Daily magazine)
42. Apopo Mujema
43. Kiswahili news anchor Nancy Onyancha
44. Job Mwaura assignments/Swahili Editor
45. Ken Wariahe (Swahili Anchor and Editor)
46. Isabella Kituri (Anchor/Swahili Editor)
47. Caroline Wambui (acting Managing Editor)
48. Shukri Wachu (Education/Crime Reporter)
49. Apollo Kamau (Political Reporter)
50. Mercy Milanoi (Business Reporter)
51. Joy Kiruki ( Features Editor)
52. Gloria Milimu (Health Reporter)
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