Standard Group Intervenes After Content Creator Threatens To Die By Suicide [VIDEO]

UPDATE: Standard Group has issued a statement confirming that it was able to address the immediate needs of the content creator who was captured on camera threatening to commit suicide.

"Our attention has been drawn to a distressing incident that occurred on our premises this afternoon involving one of our freelancers, who is currently on a sabbatical," the media house explained.

"This incident, in which the individual recorded himself in a distressing situation, has profoundly affected us, and we want to express our sincere empathy and concern for our colleague. Following the incident, we were able to address the freelancer's immediate needs."

A disheartening act which was captured on camera within the headquarters of the Standard Group Limited along Mombasa Road in Nairobi on Friday, August 16 prompted the century-old media house to settle arrears owed to a content creator.

The content creator, Zanji Mukenya, who prides himself as a video creator, filmed himself standing precariously over a high point within the converged newsroom, lamenting that the media company was yet to settle his dues.

Mukenya presented Standard Group with two options, to either pay him what he owed him or he would take his own life.

"Hi guys, so right now I'm at Standard Media who refused to hear what I'm talking about. I need my money today, I'm not leaving here without my money...I'm leaving in two ways, I need to get there, one way or another," he threatened.

Here is the video:

A content creator is threatening to take his own life if Standard Media fails to pay him what he's owed.

Over to you, @KUJ_Kenya. pic.twitter.com/JUVuSFfR6G — Henix Obuchunju (@Obuchunju) August 16, 2024

"So I either die or I get my money. I'm posting this, hopefully, you guys see this while I'm still alive...I'm leaving here with my money or with my life in their hands. I'm done, these dreadlocks are not in my head for nothing."

He added "Standard Media have refused to pay me, even if it was their mistake. So, I die here today or I get my money...one of the two things", showing that he was willing to go to extremes to get the dues that the media house owed him.

A clip seen by Viral Tea showed another angle of the events, as Mukenya looked dangerously over the edge much to the horror of some Standard Group staff who stopped their activities to watch the events unfold.

Both clips were shared on social media platforms, causing mixed reactions with some netizens believing that the current state of the economy in the country was hurting many sectors, forcing companies to lay off staff en masse which leads to depressing episodes...and worse yet, after going for weeks without their severance pay.

While Viral Tea has since authoritatively learnt that Mukenya was paid on the spot and beseeched by colleagues until he calmed down, the Kenya Union of Journalists (KUJ) on X revealed that it reached out via its partners for psychosocial support, with an update to follow.

Mukenya on his part took to his Instagram stories stating "I'm ok guys, I'm not dead. Thanks all for your concern."

This compounds woes at the media house giant continued and since its night announcement on July 30 revealing that over 300 employees would be declared redundant, it has been a troubling experience for those working at the media house.

Previously, Viral Tea reported that staff at Standard Group have now gone unpaid for nine months, with a strike which was planned for last month halted on the back of the media house promising to pay them in August, a promise yet to be fulfilled.

Employees lamented the situation, with many now unable to move on with their lives as they cannot meet even basic necessities, calling for intervention from media stakeholders and other bodies. Correspondents in particular are reported to be working for 10 months without payments, with their pleas and requests falling on deaf ears.

"Many have already faced evictions, families disintegrated while others are currently starving.

"A company that is in communication but doesn't take the opportunity to communicate leaves its people as bad communicators. When are correspondents getting their tokens...before kids continue sleeping hungry?" sources lamented to Viral Tea.

Earlier this month, and as we exclusively reported, Standard Group's TV stations, most notably KTN News, went off air and were merged with KTN Home. Most of the KTN News employees were let go, except a few who were absorbed by KTN Home in its various departments.

The media house on Tuesday, August 13 announced the resignation of veteran journalist Chaacha Mwita from its Board as a Non-Executive Director, which took effect on July 5, 2024.

Counsellors, medics, and psychologists advise that you can always reach out for help when experiencing any mental health issue. Call the Kenya Red Cross toll-free hotline, 1199, for support.