In a significant corporate restructuring, Radio Africa Limited has let go of 27 employees, some of whom had been with the company for over two decades.
The announcement came through an internal memorandum issued on April 25, 2025, by Group CEO Martin Khafafa.
According to the memo seen by Kenya Insights, the decision was described as “incredibly difficult” but necessary to “ensure the sustainability of our business while facing rising operational costs in a harsh economic climate.”
The layoffs come amid challenging economic conditions affecting media houses across East Africa, with many organizations struggling to maintain profitability as advertising revenues decline and operational costs increase.
“I understand that the current mood is heavy, and I fully recognize the uncertainty this may have caused,” Khafafa stated in the memo addressed to all staff.
“This restructuring is intended to stabilize our operations and position the company for future growth.”
The CEO emphasized that the company’s priority now is to support remaining employees while continuing to deliver the value and experience that clients expect.
He also outlined his commitment to transparency and stability as the organization transforms “into a leading audiovisual business.”
The fresh wave of layoffs comes just weeks after shutting down its television division.
Radio Africa Limited, which operates several media outlets across Kenya including, Classic FM, Kiss 100, Radio Jambo, East FM, Gukena FM, The Star newspaper, and Mpasho has been working to diversify its business model in recent years, with a growing focus on digital and audiovisual content as traditional radio listenership patterns evolve.
The layoffs represent a significant portion of the company’s workforce and signal what may be a broader trend of consolidation in Kenya’s competitive media landscape.
NRG Radio owned by Kevin Mulei him of MO Sound is having its share of problems to keep top top talents. Two have left in a span of two days.
Media personality Rachel Muthoni Njeru popularly known as Mwalimu Rachel and DJ Xclusive have called it quits with NRG radio after a 6 year stint with the urban station.
While making her announcement, Mwalimu Rachel expressed gratitude for her six-year journey at NRG, declaring her resignation and hinting at an imminent announcement regarding her next professional endeavor.
“I have resigned from NRG radio. It has been an incredible journey of six years, and I’m grateful for the time there,” she conveyed, eagerly anticipating her forthcoming career trajectory. “I look forward to announcing my new place of work and embarking on this exciting journey.”
However, we’ve since learnt that she had secured a better deal Radio Africa Group. In an announcement made by Group Chief Operating Officer, Martin Khafafa it has been confirmed that the acclaimed radio host has accepted a position at the Westlands-based media house.
Rachel has in the past worked with other radio stations including Homeboyz Radio, Ghetto Radio and KBC.
DJ Xclusive quits from NRG Radio.
DJ Xclusive also released his statement, “after 6 years working at NRG Radio, I hereby announce my resignation from the company. I am grateful for the opportunity given to me by the management. I bid farewell to my colleagues, Management and most importantly to the fans that have tuned in everyday for the last 6 years while I was on air. As I look forward to the next step in my career, I hope and pray for new opportunities that will come my way and ask for your Support,” his statement read.
Mwalimu Rachel Rejoins Homeboyz Radio
While she didn’t make it official yet, a post on Homeboyz Radio’s post, the presenter is set to rejoin the station that initially gave her the major boost to the industry.
According to a post by HomeBoyz Radio Mwalimu Rachel is set to join the station following her departure from NRG.
“Celebrated media personality Mwalimu Rachel joins Radio Africa Group! Welcome home,” they wrote.
Homeboyz Radio is owned by the Radio Africa Group.
NRG Financial struggles
Once a major hit in Nairobi streets and popular with urban youths, NRG Radio which is also famed for bringing to the country international artists including rapper Rick Ross, Omarion amongst others now remains envious of its past self having lost big figures like Kamene Goro, Andrew Kibe, Oga Obina, King Kalala and others including now Mwalimu Rachel. The steady departure has been attributed to struggling revenue streams in the company.
Both Kamene and Kibe were poached by Kiss 100 from NRG at the time, a source tells Kenya Insights this was a result of poor pay, “Shida ya NRG radio ni low pay. When we visited the Station Manager, he told us he was paying both Kamene and Kibe (less than Sh.150k) each. Was shocked because the two were at their peak then . Interestingly save for him, the two were the highest paid employees there.”
“It’s obvious that Radio Africa offered a deal that NRG couldn’t match,” he added. “The problem with most of these new radio stations is land of sustainable growth, when they first come in, they splash mega cash with hopes of recuperating only to later realize the industry works differently,” said the source who’s an industry insider.
DJ Xclusive and Mwalimu Rachel.
“The government has also tightened the noose on possible money laundering streams so we’re likely to see a good number of media outlets fall and the recent directive to only have KBC cash in on government’s ads revenue which is the core base of running any honest media house, will kill this industry.”
In the recent days, we’ve seen industry giants like Royal Media Services (RMS) struggling to keep their household names who’re steadily quoting for better deals elsewhere with Cape Media being the go to place due to better pay.
NRG Radio has in the past hit with financial difficulties that at a point threatened it’s very existence, from claims of unpaid dues to acts to suppliers, Mo Sound which is affiliate of the station owned by Mulei faced bankruptcy threats from a firm that had sued. Energy Services Limited had taken Mulei to court over nonpayment, court ordered him to pay or be declared bankrupt.
Before the station found new investors, the entire senior management at NRG that was riddled with debt and Mosound opted to leave and seek greener pastures. Some of the notable names that left the companies include Kester Shimonyo of NRG radio, Kamene Goro and Andrew Kibe of NRG radio, Duncan Msicha of NRG radio and Kavutha Mwanzia of MoSound Events.
The exit of the two key presenters who were co-hosting the same show together all at once simply exposes the underbelly of NRG Radio struggles.
