A former Standard employee died on Sunday, October 20, months after he was declared redundant by the Standard Media Group in an exercise that saw hundreds of workers axed from its payroll.
Joseph Katana was a longtime employee of the media company and before his firing, he served the firm as a driver.
The Standard Media Group decided to retrench its employees after running into financial difficulties for years.
Following the demise of Katana, current and former staff of the Mombasa-road based media giant recalled the moments they spent with him.
“I knew Katana very well. We met at Standard Group when he had just been transferred to the city from the coastal region. As a fairly elderly colleague, he would always share pieces of wisdom on how to survive and relate with others,” a former Standard Group journalist recalled.
Further, the journalist said, “He loved his work. He would pick me up during the wee hours of the night and drive me to Mombasa Road.
I remember him giving me his private number so that in case I couldn’t reach him, and I was running late, I would call the private line. I am devastated to learn that he has died.”
Frustrations at the Standard Group
Another former colleague claimed that Katana had died because of frustrations, after the company reportedly sent them home with arrears.
“After redundancy without pay, his blood pressure shot, hit optical nerves and he became totally blind in the few weeks after redundancy. So, Katana has died broke with his SACCO savings held, gratuity and salary arrears with Standard,” a former colleague vented.
Further another former workmate mourned Katana, saying that he had joined the late Rita Tinina, and Shadrack Mitty who died owed by the company.
“Whoever makes some decisions in this company will dearly pay. The wrath of nature is watching.”
Rita Tinina, a media gem succumbed to pneumonia in March 2024, after rejoining NTV. She had left Standard Group in mass exodus that saw top talent seek greener pastures.
On the other hand, Mitty died in May 2024 while undergoing treatment.
Also Read: Standard Group Records Ksh200M Loss Amid Mass Firings
Remembering Katana
In condolence messages seen by The Kenya Times, one of Katana’s former colleagues could not believe that they sat next to each other in their last meeting before the company released them.
“Nothing sad that a person we sat in a tent with when we were being declared unfit to serve, someone who served diligently for almost 25 years is frustrated to death by a company he gave his all to. Shame!”
“Grant Joseph eternal rest, O Lord; and let perpetual light shine upon him, may he rest in peace. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away, blessed be the name of the Lord,” one individual condoled on social media.
“Katana was one of the people retrenched, after he went home, he lost his eyesight only to learn of his loss yesterday,” a driver who worked for the Standard recalled.
Also Read: Standard Group Responds After Employee Threatened to Commit Suicide
Financial Woes
The SG media company which owns The Standard Newspaper, KTN Home, Spice FM Radio Maisha and The Nairobian among other brands reported a Ksh 1.26 billion loss in the year 2023.
According to the company’s management, the decline was linked to reduced advertising spending by clients because of the challenging economic environment.
However, the SG Board expressed confidence that the reorganization of the business through restructuring will place the media company in good stead.
Earlier on July 30, the SG announced plans to fire more than 300 employees because of the harsh economic environment and the changing trends in the media industry.
“In reaching this decision, we took into consideration, the difficult operating environment and its long-drawn effect on revenue generation,” read a notice.
Moreover, the firm which is listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) is owned by the late President Daniel Moi’s family.
Marion Gathoga-Mwangi is the current CEO of the company. She took over from Joe Munene who had held the position in an acting capacity after Orlando Lyomu resigned.
The Standard Group closed TV channels including KTN News rendering hundreds of workers jobless.
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