All Journalists To Lose Their Jobs After Decision By Kenyan Media House

A Kenyan media house has announced that it will suspend all its operations, albeit temporarily, on Friday, May 30, 2025.

CBS News, fully named as Competitive Broadcasting News Services, announced that it will suspend its operations to allow for a restructuring process.

"This decision has been made to realign the organisation for the future. This is not a closure, but a temporary pause to rebuild," read a notice to independent contractors exclusively obtained by Viral Tea.

CBS News describes itself as its readers and followers' most trusted, dynamic and influential news broadcaster, delivering accurate, timely and impactful journalism that informs, educates and empowers every household.

A logo of CBS News. /CBS NEWS KENYA

With the announcement, the media company noted that it is actively working to settle dues for the month of April 2025. "We sincerely appreciate your patience, and every effort is being made to finalise these payments," adds the notice.

Furthermore, journalists were informed that payments will be made for the aired stories for May, with further details regarding these payments to be communicated. However, no retainer will be paid for the same month.

CBS News also urged all employees in possession of company property or equipment (including, but not limited to, badges, devices, or media equipment) to return the items to the company.

"Following the restructuring process, all positions will be subject to a new application process. Additional communication on this will follow in due course," added the notice. This will mean that all staffers and journalists currently working at the media house before the suspension will lose their jobs.

The media industry in Kenya is currently navigating a turbulent landscape, marked by significant job insecurity and structural challenges that threaten its sustainability.

Kenya's media sector has witnessed a wave of layoffs, reflecting deeper financial woes. For instance, in July 2024, Standard Group Limited announced plans to lay off over 300 employees due to declining revenues and increased competition from digital platforms. 

Such redundancies are not isolated incidents but part of a broader trend affecting various media houses across the country. The shift from traditional advertising to digital platforms has disrupted revenue streams, compelling media organisations to restructure and downsize.

The absence of a national remuneration policy for journalists exacerbates job insecurity. Without standardised pay scales, journalists often face low wages and inconsistent compensation, leading to financial instability.

This precarious situation is further compounded by poor working conditions, including delayed salaries and a lack of mental health support. Reports indicate that some journalists have gone months without pay, pushing them into depression and, in extreme cases, homelessness.

The turbulent situation has also left small and upcoming media houses struggling to survive and maintain their workforce, integral for growing themselves, leading to drastic measures. You would remember that on June 7, 2024, Viral Tea broke the news that Look Up TV shut down its entire newsroom and sent home hundreds of its staffers, including reporters and correspondents.

The media house faced challenges tied to the rapid digital transformation in journalism, making it difficult to sustain its operations in a highly competitive and evolving industry. However, the instability has affected digital platforms too, owing to a reduction in advertising budgets. In short, no media person in Kenya is safe in their job.