“I have been redundant, and I am speaking up about it now.” These are the words of former BBC journalist Carolyne Bii.
Carolyne Bii is a multimedia journalist. She worked with the BBC and KTN News, a brand of the Standard Media Group.
A budding journalist, she was nominated for two awards, RTS Cymuru and One World Media. She was one of the 3 finalists for the Annual Journalism Excellence Awards (AJEA) and won DW Local Heroes.
“Another day another struggle; I chase after my XXL dreams with a machete and tear gas canisters.
I became a journalist to be as close as possible to the heart of the world. I believe that if your aim to change the world, journalism is an immediate weapon,” Bii describes herself.
Her words depict passion, a fierce love for the art of journalism. Others might label it a calling. She tells her story, not just a story but a voice that will speak for many.
“A few months ago, I found myself staring at an unexpected turn of events in my career journey. My role at the BBC was declared redundant. I was roughly eight months old at the organization. Sudden and unexpected. Five months later I was shed off. It’s now two months since I left,” Carolyne shared her story in a long post on social media.
Why BBC released Bii
Carolyne said that the BBC laid her off due to financial decisions, not her performance. She shares the despair, but she remains grateful for the privilege to have worked with amazing colleagues and the opportunity to grow her skills and knowledge.
However, she narrated that though she didn’t take it personally, there are specific thoughts that cross her mind regularly.
Moving forward
“I’ve made a conscious decision: a hard one to talk about my redundancy journey. I’m now branding myself as a redundancy ambassador, it’s a new poster child.
Call me for those media interviews, forums, and conferences where you need someone to talk about redundancy. I’m a case study who’s found hope in the ashes,” she broke the silence.
In the coming weeks, her journey is to reflect on the shock, the frustrations, worry, the wounds.
She lives with a redundancy scar now, the never-ending job searches, the fatigue that follows. Acceptance, the feeling of possibility. The confidence to speak about it.
Lessons Learnt
“People will say: now focus on farming, start a business, phrases masquerading as encouragement. I think.
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Friends will tell you; God will provide, another door will open. They try, but it still leaves you scratching your head. Do you apply for roles, or do you start a business?” She shares the lessons she has learnt along the way.
She shares her story because she feels (in our country) when we’re made redundant, we feel shamefaced and humiliated. The ‘value’ it takes away from you. Truth be told, losing a role may profoundly affect your professional identity, status and importance. Bitange Ndemo wrote, “The day I left the office, my phone ceased to ring. My friends had moved on… It is at this point that one must take control of the situation…”
Grass will grow,” her closing remarks.
