KBC Employees On Verge Of Starting 2025 Without Pay

With Kenyans set to usher in the New Year tonight, Monday, December 31, employees at the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) are reported to still be waiting for their salaries, many of whom have gone unpaid for over five months.

Staff at the national broadcaster lamented their employer's inability to fulfil a promise made to them regarding their dues ahead of the Christmas holiday, arrears that have destabilised the workforce.

Their frustrations stemmed from the management's pledge to settle the payment arrears by Friday, December 27, in an internal memo but it now appeared they were going to rescind that decision. No salaries had been received as of December 31.

"I hope this memo finds you well. I want to sincerely apologize for the delays in processing payments before the Christmas Holiday. We understand how important timely payments are, especially during this season," the memo read in part.

"I am pleased to inform you that payments will start checking into your accounts tomorrow and will be completed by the 27th of December 2024, when we will have cleared last month's outstanding dues."

In the memo dated December 23, KBC Managing Director Agnes Kalekye Nguna, attributed the delays to issues related to exchequer funding as well as a lower-than-expected collection of the media house's debts this month. 

KBC’s management in the memo had assured the employees that they would migrate to a new payment system to avoid future problems with payment. "We are working around the clock to address these challenges and ensure that payments are processed in the shortest time possible," added the memo.

"To enhance our operations and prevent similar delays in the future, we are also exploring ways to centralize all our payroll processes. Thank you for your understanding and patience during this time. We appreciate your dedication and hard work."

The national broadcaster has endured a tough time over the past years with the government urged to bring sweeping reforms to the once prestigious media house. 

Responding to the matter, former Kiambu Governor William Kabogo, who was recently nominated as the Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communication, and the Digital Economy by President William Ruto, wrote on X that "This is unacceptable, God willing it shall be fixed and never to happen again."

KBC has this year been hit by crucial exits that have struck blows to the state-owned broadcaster. Recently, long-serving Managing Director Waithaka Waihenya left the company after the end of his term. Waihenya had served at the helm of KBC for seven years.

At the national broadcaster, Waihenya presided over massive expansion in which KBC introduced seven new vernacular FM stations and two TV channels Y254 and Heritage TV. He also oversaw the migration from analogue to digital in which KBC under Signet was one of the two signal distributors.  

Under Waihenya, KBC also received the prestigious ISO certification but had his tenure marred with numerous challenges.

KBC also saw two of its top anchors exit for greener pastures. They include Shiksha Arora who moved to TV47 and Sarafina Robi who joined the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).