NAIROBI, Kenya – Mediamax Network Limited, the parent company of K24 TV and People Daily, has announced plans to lay off more than 100 employees as part of a strategic shift towards fully embracing digital operations.
In a notice dated July 14, the company cited falling revenues, rapid technological disruption, and increasing regulatory pressure as the main drivers of the restructuring.
“Mediamax Network Limited is undertaking a strategic restructuring and reorganization of its business operations to enhance overall efficiency and effectiveness in response to evolving market dynamics, including digital transformation, innovation, shifting client needs, and the introduction of punitive regulations by the Government of Kenya affecting the media industry,” the notice read in part.
Media Max fires over 100 employees working for K24 and People Daily newsroom as it seeks to go digital, Kameme TV, Radio Kameme and Milele unaffected.
The media house said the decision follows a comprehensive two-year internal review that revealed operational inefficiencies requiring urgent intervention.
According to the statement, the company has been grappling with a challenging macroeconomic environment, reduced advertising volumes, a shrinking client base, and delayed payments of pending bills by both the national and county governments.
“As part of this process, the company will conduct an evaluation and staff optimization exercise, which may involve re-aligning operations, streamlining staffing levels, and consolidating roles within the organization,” Mediamax said, warning that the measures will result in redundancies across several departments.
The announcement underscores the growing financial strain on Kenya’s media industry, as legacy outlets increasingly pivot to digital platforms in a bid to survive shrinking revenues and changing audience habits.
