The Standard Group has been dealt another major blow following the resignation of its Editor-in-Chief Ochieng Rapuro.
An insider, who spoke to The Kenya Times exclusively on the condition of anonymity, confirmed the unexpected departure was officiated on Friday, January 3.
The outgoing Editor-in-Chief, a seasoned veteran journalist brought decades of experience and a track record of impactful storytelling and newsroom leadership.
His departure adds to the list of high-profile exits from the media house in recent months as the company grapples with financial restructuring and cost-cutting measures.
The Standard Group, one of Kenya’s largest and oldest media organizations, has been navigating turbulent times marked by declining revenues and layoffs.
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Career History Before Standard and Education
Rapuro served as the Managing Editor of the Nation Media Group between September 2006 and June 2019, when he left to join Standard, taking over from Joseph Odindo, who retired.
He is also the former managing editor of The East African and the Managing Editor of Business Daily.
Rapuro is a graduate of the University of Nairobi, where he pursued a postgraduate diploma in Mass Communication and journalism between September 1996 and September 1997.
According to information on his LinkedIn profile, he graduated with distinction.
Later, he pursued a Master of Public Administration at the University of Potsdam between February 2002 and May 2003.
Also Read: Standard Group CEO Lands a New Job
The Struggles of the Media Group
The Standard Group declared over 300 employees redundant in July 2024 as part of a reorganization plan.
The company promised a one-year redundancy payment plan with instalments scheduled for September, October, and November 2024.
However, former employees have since lamented that they have not received any payments.
In a statement, the affected workers highlighted the dire consequences of the delays, citing evictions over unpaid rent, inability to pay school fees for children moving from private to public schools, and struggles to afford essential medication and food.
“Many are barely putting food on the table, while those with medical conditions can no longer afford necessary drugs. Some have turned to construction work to survive,” the statement read.
Both current and former employees are reportedly owed salaries for eight months, covering June to August 2023 and March to July 2024.
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