Radio Africa Group Announces New Round of Layoffs Amid Ongoing Media Industry Challenges

April 2025 — Radio Africa Group, the parent company behind Classic FM, Kiss 100, Radio Jambo, East FM, Gukena FM, The Star newspaper, and Mpasho, has confirmed a fresh wave of layoffs just weeks after shutting down its television division.

The latest retrenchment exercise, announced by the CEO Martin Khafafa, is part of broader cost-cutting measures as the media house continues to grapple with a tough operating environment marked by declining revenues and shifting audience habits.

Radio Africa is not alone. Other major players in Kenya’s media landscape, including the Standard Group and Nation Media Group, have also faced similar struggles. Both media houses have carried out their own redundancy drives in recent months and continue to experience delays in paying correspondents and staff, further highlighting the financial pressures confronting legacy media outlets.

The layoffs reflect the growing challenges facing traditional media in the digital age, with companies struggling to adapt to evolving consumer preferences, shrinking advertising budgets, and rising operational costs.

Further details on the scope and impact of the retrenchment are expected in the coming days.