Kenya Insights

Tag: Standard Group

  • Raila Calls on Supporters To Ignore Standard Newspaper; Terms Its Reporting Malicious

    Raila Calls on Supporters To Ignore Standard Newspaper; Terms Its Reporting Malicious

    NAIROBI — Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga has urged his supporters to disregard reporting by The Standard newspaper, accusing the media house of running a malicious campaign against him and his family.

    In a strongly-worded statement issued Tuesday by the party’s Secretary General Senator Edwin Sifuna, ODM condemned what it termed as a “campaign of demonising and tarnishing” Mr. Odinga’s person, career, standing, and legacy by The Standard Newspapers.

    The statement particularly referenced The Standard’s lead story published on Monday, May 5, 2025, which ODM described as “misleading” and “packed with lies, malice, mischief, and a clear vendetta against the Odinga family.”

    “We appeal to our supporters to refuse to be blackmailed, arm twisted and intimidated by a company that is pursuing a disguised political and profit motive,” read part of the statement dated May 6, 2025.

    According to ODM, The Standard’s coverage is motivated by both political and profit interests, with the newspaper allegedly attempting to “blackmail and arm twist Mr. Odinga and ODM into supporting the political position of the owners and management of the Standard Group.”

    The opposition party claimed that the newspaper’s Monday coverage falsely suggested that family members of the former Prime Minister who currently hold elective and appointive positions owe their positions to a political agreement between the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and ODM.

    “The unmistakable insinuation in The Standard’s narrative is that anyone bearing the Odinga name has no place in Kenya’s public life — whether in elective, appointive, or even voluntary service,” the statement continued.

    The party acknowledged that The Standard correctly reported that Raila Odinga currently holds no government office, his brother Oburu Odinga is an elected Senator, and his sister Winnie Odinga is a duly elected Member of the East African Legislative Assembly.

    However, ODM took issue with the newspaper’s attribution of these positions to what it called a “handshake” agreement, claiming this undermines “the credibility of legitimate electoral and parliamentary processes.”

    The statement also referenced Dr. Wenwa Akinyi Oranga, reportedly a daughter of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, who allegedly was dismissed from her position as Chief Chemist at the Pyrethrum Board of Kenya upon discovery of her family connection.

    ODM accused The Standard of serving “the political interests of a well-known family whose own members have simultaneously held multiple elective offices,” alleging double standards in the newspaper’s reporting.

    The party emphasized its support for “every Kenyan holding an appointive or elective position regardless of family or region of origin, the Odingas included,” and reminded The Standard that “Kenya is a constitutional democracy founded on equality, fairness, and merit – not inherited exclusion.”

    The Standard newspaper had not responded to ODM’s allegations by press time.

  • Court Slaps Standard Group with Ksh34 Million Payout Order to Former CEO Orlando Lyomu

    Court Slaps Standard Group with Ksh34 Million Payout Order to Former CEO Orlando Lyomu

    In a major setback for Standard Group, the Employment and Labour Court has directed the media house to pay its former Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Orlando Lyomu, over Ksh34 million.

    The ruling, issued on April 9 by Justice Stella Rutto, comes after the company failed to honour a previous court order issued in October 2024.

    The hefty sum includes unpaid salaries, leave days, and bonuses that had been pending for nearly a year. The payment is to be made in 12 monthly installments, beginning May 5, 2025.

    Court Orders Standard Group to Pay Millions to Orlando Lyomu

    Justice Stella Rutto’s judgment came after Standard Group failed to honour a previous court agreement that required them to pay Lyomu Ksh38 million. That amount included salary arrears, six months’ salary in lieu of notice, unpaid leave, and a March 2023 bonus.

    Initially, the court had ordered Standard Group to pay Lyomu in monthly installments of Ksh750,000 beginning October 2024. It also included legal fees amounting to Ksh1,021,140.

    The media house was expected to complete this payment within three months. However, things did not go as planned. By December 2024, the former CEO reported that Standard Group had defaulted on the agreement.

    By March 2025, he had only received Ksh4.5 million of the expected Ksh5.25 million, prompting him to return to court for enforcement orders.

    In her latest ruling, Judge Rutto ordered that the remaining Ksh33 million be paid in 12 equal installments.

    This means the company will now pay Lyomu over Ksh2.75 million every month until the full amount is cleared.

    Also, the court directed Standard Group to pay the legal costs in two installments of over Ksh500,000 each through the law firm of Nyachae & Ashitiva Advocates.

    This fresh ruling shows how seriously the court views employer-employee obligations, particularly for top-level executives who often leave office amid financial disagreements.

    Financial Woes Continue to Haunt Standard Group

    Orlando Lyomu’s departure in June 2023 came as Standard Group struggled with long-standing financial challenges.

    He had taken over the CEO role in May 2018 after the exit of Sam Shollei and had previously served as the Group’s Finance Director and Chief Operating Officer.

    Despite being one of Kenya’s oldest and most respected media houses, Standard Group has faced cash flow problems for years.

    These issues have led to delayed salaries, staff retrenchments, and downsizing of operations. The ongoing court battles with Lyomu only further highlight the depth of the financial crisis.

    The ruling could not have come at a worse time for the media house. Paying over Ksh2.75 million monthly to a former CEO, plus an additional Ksh500,000 for legal fees over two months, will likely strain its already tight budget.

    Moreover, failing to honour the court’s initial agreement paints the company in a negative light, both in legal circles and in the eyes of the public.

    Observers say this could also discourage potential investors or partners who see the company as unable to meet its contractual and legal obligations.

    This case sets a strong example of how courts are stepping up to protect workers’ rights, even in top management positions.

    It also sends a warning to employers about the consequences of defaulting on court settlements. With the court now closely monitoring the installments, the Standard Group will have little room for error.

    The first payment deadline of May 5, 2025, is fast approaching, and any further delays could lead to even stricter legal action. For Lyomu, this ruling is a step closer to justice and compensation after years of service to the media giant.

  • Ken Mijungu Quits KTN After 4 Years

    Ken Mijungu Quits KTN After 4 Years

    Seasoned journalist Ken Mijungu has announced his departure from KTN News after a four-year tenure.

    Mijungu, who joined KTN in December 2020 from NTV, where he was known for his work as a senior reporter and host of the current affairs show *Sidebar*, made the announcement via social media. He stated, “A good dancer knows when to exit the stage! Four years of absolute adrenaline and nothing but the best; as unpredictable as it was, it is time to find something else to do while I still can.”

    While the station had offered the journalist an opportunity to review his contract, he opted not to, according to a source close to the matter who spoke to *Kenya Insights*. There are, however, credible whispers suggesting a possible role at Cape Media, owners of TV47 and Radio 47.

    Reflecting on his career journey, Mijungu previously shared the challenges he faced after leaving NTV, describing the period as one of introspection and resilience. He emphasized the importance of adaptability in the ever-evolving media industry.

    Mijungu’s departure follows another significant exit at Standard Media Group. Veteran journalist Eric Latiff recently announced his resignation from the company, where he had been a key figure at Spice FM and KTN News. Latiff expressed gratitude to his colleagues and reflected on the journey of building The Situation Room, a program that became a cornerstone of Kenyan political discourse.

    These departures come amid reports of financial difficulties at Standard Media Group. The company has been grappling with economic challenges, leading to concerns about delayed salaries and the retention of top talent. The exit of prominent journalists like Mijungu and Latiff underscores the broader issues facing the organization.

    As the media industry in Kenya continues to navigate financial constraints and the evolving digital landscape, the movement of key personalities like Mijungu and Latiff highlights the dynamic nature of the sector.

    Latiff has since moved to NTV, where sources indicate the deal was unbeatable given current market dynamics.

  • Court Orders Standard Group To Pay Former Employee Sh3.1M For Wrongful Dismissal

    Court Orders Standard Group To Pay Former Employee Sh3.1M For Wrongful Dismissal

    Employment and Labour Relations court has ordered Standard group to pay its former creative manager Sh3.1 million for unlawful dismissal.

    Judge Maureen Onyango said the termination of Dennis Asenji from employment was unlawful and ordered the media house to pay him Sh3,117,512.

    “Taking into account the claimant’s length of service and the Respondent’s handling of the termination of the Claimant’s contract, it is my view that an award of 8 months’ salary as compensation in the sum of Sh.3,117,512 is reasonable compensation and I award the Claimant the same,” the Judge ruled.

    In the decision, the judge noted that the company failed to call any witness or to file any submission in its defence.

    Asenji testified that his termination was malicious as he neither had any disciplinary issues nor was he accorded any hearing prior to the termination.

    He submitted that he was employed on a fixed term contract for a period of four years effective December 1, 2011 and was expected to end on December 1, 2016.

    He further testified that at the time of termination, he was paid Sh.1.6 million, which was not itemized.

    Asenji said his letter of termination did not state the reason for his firing but it only stated the notice period and the payment in lieu of notice.

    According to the court decision, Asenji admitted that he received payment of his dues from the company up to and including July 12, 2013 and that his Claim is not for the said period but for the remainder of his contract term.