Kenya’s Radio Africa Limited has dismissed 27 employees, attributing it to the current tough economic times.

Through an internal memo, the media house announced the development, terming it as ‘one of the challenging moments in their journey’.

“Yesterday, we made the incredibly difficult decision to let go of 27 of our colleagues. This was one of the most challenging moments in our journey”, it said in a release.

“These individuals have been a great part of our team for many years, some for over 20 years,” read the statement in part.”

According to Martin Khafafa, the group CEO, the decision to release the employees was due to rising operational costs and posed a threat to the sustainability of the business.

“Please know that this decision was not taken lightly; it was necessary to ensure the sustainability of our business while facing rising operational costs in a harsh economic climate,” Khafafa stated.

“I understand that the current mood is heavy, and I fully recognize the uncertainty this may have caused. This restructuring is intended to stabilize our operations and position the company for future growth.”

Khafafa emphasized that the company’s priority now is to support each other, remain focused, and continue delivering the value and experience that their clients expect.

He reassured the employees of his commitment to transparency, stability, and creating a more resilient company as they work to transform the organization.

“I want to reassure you of my commitment to transparency, stability, and creating a more resilient company as we work to transform our organization into a leading audiovisual business. I am confident in our ability to navigate this period together,” he said.

This comes amid a series of layoffs in Kenya’s media industry. In July 2024, the Standard Group announced plans to lay off over 300 employees due to financial challenges and the need to restructure operations.