A former journalist with Standard Group PLC has accused the media house of failing to pay salary arrears and subjecting staff to intimidation, raising fresh concerns about labour practices within one of Kenya’s oldest media organisations.
In a statement shared publicly, journalist Denish Ochieng claimed that employees at the company are working under fear and are unable to speak out over delayed or unpaid salaries.
He alleged that the organisation has continued to operate “with impunity,” disregarding labour laws that require timely payment of wages.
Ochieng said he recently visited the company’s offices to demand payment of Ksh. 217,876, which he claims is owed to him since 2024.
However, the visit reportedly escalated into a confrontation with security personnel.
“I went there to ask for my pay. I was adamant to leave but instead they unleashed their security on me through a female staffer working in the security office. I will not relent,” he said.
In a separate statement, Ochieng further alleged that the company had instructed its security officers to physically confront him during the visit.
He maintained that he had exhausted all other avenues to recover the money and accused the organisation of resorting to intimidation rather than resolving the dispute.
The former journalist also linked the alleged non-payment of dues to broader welfare concerns among former employees.
He claimed that some of his former colleagues had suffered serious health and psychological effects following prolonged salary disputes with the company.
“After we left in 2024, one of us called Katana died because of depression after the company refused to pay him his dues of over 25 years. Rashid also died last year December because of BP. How many more does this company want to depress to death?” he posed.
Ochieng stated that his immediate priority is to recover the outstanding amount, noting that he intends to seek medical attention once the payment is made.
The allegations come amid ongoing scrutiny of labour practices within Kenya’s media industry, where financial pressures have in recent years led to layoffs, salary delays, and restructuring across several outlets.