Presenters at Standard Media Group have gone on strike in protest.

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Radio presenters at Standard Media Group have initiated a strike due to delayed salaries. These presenters, who helm popular shows across stations under the media conglomerate, left their studios on Tuesday, replacing regular programming with music.

Standard Media Group owns Radio Maisha, Spice FM, Berur FM, and Vybez Radio.

The strike follows mounting frustration among staff over unpaid salaries, with some employees alleging non-payment for several months. Staff members have voiced their concerns through organizations like the Kenya Union of Journalists and the Media Council of Kenya, calling on management to address the situation urgently.

Amid the strike, many stations under the Standard Media Group umbrella have been notably quiet on their social media platforms, where updates and engagements from presenters typically drive listener engagement.

This development follows the media house’s report of a significant loss amounting to Sh1.26 billion for the fiscal year ending December 2023.

The group’s total revenue declined from Sh2.53 billion in 2022 to Sh2.38 billion, primarily due to reduced advertising expenditure by clients amid a challenging economic climate.

Operating costs rose to Sh3.09 billion from Sh2.95 billion in the previous year, driven by increased input expenses and inflationary pressures, adversely impacting the company’s overall profitability.

The new CEO, Marion Gathoga-Mwangi, is set to tackle challenges like the ongoing go-slow and performance issues at the firm.

Beginning her tenure on July 15, Gathoga-Mwangi brings extensive experience to the role, with a career spanning 26 years in both local and international contexts.

Her previous executive roles at The Linde Group PLC companies, including African Oxygen Pty (AFROX) and BOC Kenya PLC, are notable for her contributions to enhancing medical gases access across Africa and overseeing bulk and onsite manufacturing operations in South Africa.

Before joining The Standard Group, Gathoga-Mwangi served as Healthcare Director, Business Unit Director for Bulk and Onsite Manufacturing in South Africa, and Managing Director of BOC Kenya.

Marion Gathoga-Mwangi’s extensive experience includes roles such as Country Director at Cadbury Kenya and East Africa Limited, General Manager at Unga Limited Plc (Seaboard Corporation), and Country Director at Parmalat Botswana Pty in Gaborone, Botswana. She has also made significant contributions during her tenure with Bayer East Africa.

In addition to her executive positions, Gathoga-Mwangi serves as a Non-Executive Director at BAT Kenya PLC, BOC Kenya PLC, and the Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM). Her academic background includes a Bachelor of Science (Honors) Degree in International Business Administration from the United States International University (USIU) Kenya. She is also a practitioner of Continuous Improvement (Kaizen), a methodology she has effectively applied in corporate turnarounds.

As the media landscape evolves, Gathoga-Mwangi’s leadership is expected to be pivotal in navigating and advancing The Standard Group’s position, ensuring it continues to excel in delivering quality journalism and innovative media solutions.