Popular digital activist Cyprian Is Nyakundi has helped amplify the voices of former Standard Group PLC employees, who have now come out strongly to expose what they describe as years of labour and human rights violations by the company.
These ex-employees say their suffering has been hidden for far too long, and they are now demanding justice.
Allegations Dating Back to 2018
The former workers claim that Standard Group PLC, one of Kenya’s oldest media houses, has for years failed to fulfill basic legal responsibilities. They accuse the company of failing to remit statutory deductions since as far back as 2018.
This includes money meant for SACCO contributions, NHIF (for health insurance), pensions, NSSF (retirement savings), and KRA taxes. The failure to remit these deductions has caused serious hardship. Some ex-workers say they have been denied medical care because their NHIF contributions were not updated.
Others cannot access their savings or claim pension benefits, even after years of service. Families have suffered silently, not knowing that their loved ones’ benefits were never processed.
Severance Pay Denied
The former employees also say they were pushed out of their jobs without proper compensation. Many were declared redundant but never received their severance pay as required by Kenyan labour laws. According to them, this is not only unjust but illegal.
Some of the affected individuals claim they served the company faithfully for many years, only to be abandoned when the company ran into financial trouble. Instead of addressing their plight, the company allegedly ignored their concerns and refused to engage in dialogue.
Calls for Public Support
Now, the former employees have decided to come together in a united front to seek justice. Backed by the Kenya Union of Journalists (KUJ), they are appealing to the government, labour unions, and the public to support their campaign.
They argue that media workers, like everyone else, deserve to be treated fairly. Just because they report on other people’s problems does not mean their own grievances should be ignored.
Planned Protest and Press Conference
As part of their campaign, the group will officially notify the police on Wednesday, 09 April 2025, about their plan to hold a peaceful protest. This protest is meant to shine a light on the mistreatment and exploitation they say they suffered while working at Standard Group PLC.
Following the police notification, the group plans to hold a press conference outside the Nairobi Area Police Station at 11:30 AM. They say this will be an opportunity to speak to the media, the public, and the government directly.
A Fight for Justice
The former employees hope that their voices will finally be heard. They believe that their situation is just one example of how companies in Kenya continue to mistreat workers while hiding behind their corporate image. They say enough is enough and now is the time to demand accountability and justice for all affected.
All eyes are now on Standard Group PLC and how it will respond to these growing calls for justice.
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