Tension is running high among staff at the Nation Media Group (NMG) following the impending round of mass layoffs that has been looming.

The Group’s Chief Executive Officer Stephen Gitagama on Wednesday wrote a letter to all Kenyan NMG staff alerting them of impending changes they should expect.

Stephen Gitagama

According to Gitagama, the company continues to refocus on priority areas to deliver on the transformation, which will cause the reorganisation of its workforce.

“At the beginning of this month, we announced changes to accelerate our business transformation agenda to assure our success in the long term and the sustainability of our journalism. I want to take this opportunity to sincerely thank each one of you for the role you continue to play in our transformation journey with diligence, commitment and passion,” the letter read.

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“We will continue to refocus on priority areas to deliver on the transformation while adequately resourcing and placing staff into areas where their skills are best utilised.”

In the same letter, Gitagama subtly dropped the bombshell, letting NMG staff that some of them may well be on their way out in the restructuring exercise, while some may have to move to other positions.

“Regrettably, this refocus will result in a reorganisation of our workforce. This is an extremely difficult decision in view of the prevailing business environment,” the letter read in part.

“This exercise will be carried out with utmost dignity and in accordance with the Labour Laws of Kenya. We will strive to provide all the necessary support to help those affected manage the transition.”

In the latest changes, NTV Senior news anchor and news editor Ben Kitili has been appointed the Managing Editor at NTV replacing Joseph Warungu who left NMG in August.

Ben Kitili. PHOTO/FACEBOOK

Kitili assumes fresh responsibilities which include all editorial operations of NTV, overseeing news operations, reporters, anchors and editors.

On Tuesday, Group Editorial Director Joe Ageyo made the announcement saying Kitili was the person to go to for matters NTV.

“For all things to do with NTV, Ben who has been News Editor here is the go-to person,” Ageyo said.

Lofty Matambo has also been appointed the head of the NTV Swahili albeit in an acting capacity.

Lofty Matambo. PHOTO/FACEBOOK

Lofty who is a Swahili news anchor and producer assumes the position that was previously held by Salim Swaleh who also left NMG to take up a new role at Nakuru County Government as the Chief officer in charge of ICT, e-Government, and public communications.

Monica Ndung’u.

Monica Ndung’u, who has been NMG’s head of broadcasting gets promoted to the position of the Chief Operating Officer in the fresh changes while Verah Ogundo has been charged with the oversight of the production department also in an acting capacity.