By Muhammad Sal
Kenya’s Mediamax Network Limited, parent company of K24 TV and People Daily, is laying off an undisclosed number of staff due to digital disruption and tough economic conditions.
Mediamax has confirmed its sixth round of job cuts in four years, citing shifts in consumer habits, accelerated digital disruption, and stringent government regulations as key reasons for restructuring. CEO Ken Ngaruiya explained that the company is working through a difficult macroeconomic environment with declining sales volumes forcing a rethink of its business model.
Employees affected will receive full salary payments up to their termination date, salary in lieu of notice, compensation for unused leave, and severance pay calculated at 15 days for each year worked, less any debts owed to Mediamax.
Over 500 media workers have lost jobs in the past two years as traditional outlets rush to adopt digital-first approaches.
Ngaruiya pointed to issues such as delayed payments from national and county governments, exclusive advertising contracts favoring one media company by the government, and restrictions on betting advertisements as factors worsening revenue loss.
Similar cutbacks have hit other media firms in Kenya. Nation Media Group reduced its staff by 16 earlier this year, and Standard Group laid off over 300 employees in 2024 amid financial losses.
These layoffs show the ongoing upheaval in African media industries adapting to digital realities and restrictive regulatory environments.
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