The mass exodus at People Daily continued on Monday after Associate Editor Wanyonyi Wabilianga became the latest senior staffer to leave the organisation in less than a month.
People Daily, the only free daily newspaper in the country, is one of the brands under the Mediamax Company Limited that also operates the Kameme radio and television stations, Milele FM, Emoo FM, K24 television and K24 Plus.
The mass exodus at the newspaper began with the departure of veteran Managing Editor Eric Obino who took a sabbatical as he tried his hand in politics, eyeing the Nyaribari Chache Parliamentary seat. He expected to use his long leave days to test the waters and probably return to his work station when things didn’t go his way, but alas, three weeks into his leave, his office had been occupied by Ng’ang’a Mbugua who arrived from Standard.
Next to bolt out in the name of seeking greener pastures was Features Editor Beth Nduta who left almost the same time as Chief Graphic Designer Mike Mosoto as the employees increasingly complained about their 50 per cent pay cut, despite the harsh economic times and the fact that they had initially been promised the pay cut would only last for three months but has stretched to two years.
It is also believed that a section of employees learnt of selective salary increase for some of the staffers, most of whom work for Kameme radio station who had their salary reviewed to 100% and even received salary increment yet the rest remained on 50% and a few received 10% increment. The selective salary review in the country has created bad blood in the company and totally affected the spirit of convergence in the newsroom.
Before Wanyonyi’s departure that has seen him return to Standard Group as the Deputy Editor in charge of the newspaper, People Daily’s Chief-Sub Nancy Odera left a week earlier with the same protests as she returned to Daily Nation where she initially worked before Obino poached her.
It is believed that a handful of other editors including the political, sports and business editors could be serving their notices soon, as well, as they seek greener pastures.
