The Standard Group has suffered another significant blow with the resignation of its Editor-in-Chief, Ochieng Rapuro, marking a further chapter in the company’s ongoing challenges.
Sources close to the situation confirmed that Rapuro’s resignation was finalized on Friday, January 3, 2025.
Rapuro, a highly experienced journalist with a wealth of leadership in the newsroom, had been a pillar at Standard Group, bringing with him decades of expertise and a history of impactful journalism.
His exit adds to a series of high-profile departures at the media house, which is currently navigating difficult financial conditions amid restructuring and efforts to reduce costs.
The Standard Group, one of Kenya’s most established media entities, has been struggling with declining revenue streams, which have led to layoffs and financial belt-tightening measures in recent months.
Before joining Standard Group, Rapuro had a distinguished career at Nation Media Group, where he served as Managing Editor from 2006 until 2019.
He succeeded Joseph Odindo as Editor-in-Chief at Standard. Rapuro also held senior editorial positions at The East African and Business Daily.
A graduate of the University of Nairobi, Rapuro earned a postgraduate diploma in Mass Communication and Journalism in 1997 with distinction.
He furthered his studies at the University of Potsdam, obtaining a Master’s in Public Administration in 2003.
Rapuro’s departure comes at a time when Standard Group is struggling to stabilize after a wave of redundancies.
In July 2024, the company announced the layoff of over 300 employees as part of its restructuring efforts.
A one-year payment plan for redundancy compensation was promised, but many former workers have expressed frustration over delayed payments.
Ex-employees have reported facing severe hardships due to these delays, including issues with housing, inability to pay for their children’s education, and a lack of access to essential medicines.
Many have been forced to take up alternative work, such as construction, to make ends meet.
Current and former employees of the media house have also raised concerns about unpaid salaries, with some owed payments stretching back as far as June 2023.
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