Whistleblower: How workers are suffering at Standard Media Group

By Newsflash Writer

A whistleblower has come forward with troubling claims about the state of affairs inside Standard Media Group, painting a picture of financial distress, staff suffering, and alleged internal mismanagement at the Mombasa Road–based media house.

In an interview with Newsflash, the source described a newsroom weighed down by months of unpaid salaries, lapses in staff medical cover, and what they termed a culture of fear that has driven many employees to resign.

Salary delays

The whistleblower linked a series of staff deaths to prolonged financial hardship.

One longtime cameraman, s/he said, collapsed at his Ngong home on Christmas morning in 2024 after reportedly struggling for months without pay. He later died in hospital, leaving behind a young family. According to the source, the employee had sought a small salary advance shortly before his death but was turned away.

The cameraman’s passing was described as part of a wider pattern. A television reporter with a known heart condition allegedly died without receiving consistent medical care.

A driver, the source claimed, succumbed to diabetes-related complications after losing his job. A regional correspondent also reportedly died in hospital as salary delays mounted and medical insurance cover lapsed.

The whistleblower alleged that the company has accumulated up to 11 months in salary arrears for some workers, with several months in late 2024 still unpaid. Multiple court cases have reportedly been filed by employees seeking redress, though the situation has received little public attention within the broader media industry.

Allegations of toxic leadership

The source further claimed that after the departure of a former chief executive, power became concentrated in the hands of a small group of senior managers. These individuals are accused of sidelining established newsroom structures and allegedly mismanaging company resources.

Among the most serious claims are accusations of workplace intimidation and sexual harassment. The whistleblower alleged that some female employees were pressured into inappropriate relationships to safeguard their jobs, while those who resisted faced demotions or contract terminations. These allegations could not be independently verified at the time of publication.

Several senior staff members — including anchors, editors, and reporters — have reportedly left the company in recent months. According to the source, many departures were linked to frustration over unpaid wages, stalled careers, and what they described as a hostile working environment.

Business decline and political questions

The whistleblower also pointed to a sharp drop in advertising revenue, claiming major clients have distanced themselves from the organisation. S/he alleged that strained relations with government institutions have further worsened the company’s financial position.

As experienced journalists exit and morale declines, the outlet is said to be struggling to keep pace with competitors. Employees who question management decisions reportedly risk losing their contracts or facing professional isolation.

The situation has also sparked political questions, with critics asking whether influential figures associated with the company are aware of — or accountable for — the alleged conditions facing staff.

The media house had not issued a public response to these specific allegations by the time of publication.