Long-time Radio Maisha Head of Radio Tom Japanni has left the Standard Media Group.
In a short statement shared on Tuesday, February 20, Japanni announced that he was preparing for a “new season” and a “new calling”.
“It’s a wrap. Prepping for a new season, a new calling,” he announced.
Sources close to the Standard Group also confirmed Japanni’s exit from Radio Maisha to The Kenya Times.
He, however, did not reveal his next station or assignment. After his announcement, friends and colleagues in the media industry wished him success in future endeavors.
In her comment to his post, celebrated radio presenter Mwende Macharia celebrated him stating, “Boss, the best in the game”.
On his part, veteran Radio 47 presenter and a former employee at Radio Maisha Hassan Ali Kauleni described Japanni as one of the best radio bosses and wished him well.
“Alilopanga Mola ndilo huwa. Kila la kheri. Miongoni mwa mabosi nguli wa Radio. Mbele kwema majaaliwa. Mola mbele daima!” Kauleni stated, which is loosely translated to “Whatever God plans comes to be, wish the best. You are among the best radio bosses.”
Rise of Tom Japanni as Top Radio Mind
Japanni’s exit brings to an end his long stay at the helm of the Mombasa Road-based station. He joined The Standard in 2013 as the Head of Radio, leading Radio Maisha, which was by then a young station to a period of accelerated growth.
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Under his watch, Radio Maisha grew to become one of the most listened to Swahili radio stations, competing with traditional big names including Radio Citizen.
Like he put in his LinkedIn profile, Japanni was seen by his colleagues and junior staff as a “master of on-air Radio concepts and a turnaround wizard”.
He would later oversee the rise of newbies Spice FM and Vybz Radio when the two were launched as part of the stations under the Standard Group.
Career journey
Prior to joining The Standard Group, Japanni had worked as the Senior Producer at the British Broadcasting Corporation and was in charge of the production of a 30-minute weekly Youth magazine program on Sexual & Reproductive Health and Rights.
Also Read: KTN Journalist Who Blasted Standard Group Managers Quits
He was also in charge of African News bulletins on Network Africa and Focus on Africa. Away from his official role, Japanni is also known as the husband to radio personality Massawe Japanni who works for Radio Africa’s Radio Jambo.
Coming at a time the station has been rocked by an exodus of popular presenters and journalists, his exit will add to the challenges faced by the Standard Group.
Earlier in the month, Mwangi Maina who previously worked as a foreign affair reporter at KTN confirmed his exit from the media house to end his stint spanning over five years.
The company has been forced to embark on a restructuring journey occasioned by a financial crisis, with a host of well-known journalists and staffers decamping to competitors and others resigning for opportunities in government.
