Kameme Correspondents Down Tools Over Salary Arrears

By Fatuman Rashid

Kameme TV and Radio correspondents have this morning downed their tools, protesting months of unpaid salaries and demanding urgent intervention from Mediamax Network Limited management.

The journalists say they have endured prolonged financial strain, with some going without pay for up to two years, pushing many into debt, emotional distress, and family instability.

In an internal communication seen by this publication, the correspondents resolved to suspend all duties until their outstanding dues are settled, terming the situation unsustainable and exploitative.

They described a system where contributors are paid as little as Sh300 per story, an amount they say does not match the cost of sourcing, producing, and filing professional reports.

“Writing in the knowledge that you’ll earn just 300/- for a feature, let alone a story, is more depressing than the pay itself. I wonder what serious story can fetch such pittance,” said a correspondent stationed outside Nairobi City.

Another highlighted the economic strain, stating that a week ago, she engaged two masons and 3 laborers for a news article and had to part away with over 1000/- as facilitation fee, for a story she’d be paid 300/-.

Others compared their pay to casual labour rates, noting that even unskilled workers earn significantly more daily, raising concerns about fairness and dignity in the profession.

Frustration has also been directed at management communication, with correspondents questioning delayed payments tied to internal systems and unclear timelines on when dues will be settled.

“A Zoom meeting with management would suffice as soon as possible as we demand answers as to when we are getting paid with clear timelines,” another suggested adding that he was falling into depression.

The grievances extend beyond pay, with correspondents citing declining morale, depression, and growing pressure from families as debts accumulate and basic needs remain unmet.

Some have called for escalated action beyond internal appeals, urging colleagues to organise demonstrations, picketing, and formal submission of grievances to relevant authorities.

“Amen without action is pure bullshit, I say fight, wake up and fight for our rights, demonstrate, picket and submit our grievances,” a Gen Z correspondent angrily stated calling on colleagues to rise and fight for their rights.

The journalists have announced plans for a peaceful protest on Friday, March 20, outside the company’s premises, expecting a large turnout from correspondents across the country.

They have called on police to facilitate the demonstration, emphasizing that it will be peaceful but resolute in demanding justice, payment of all outstanding dues, urgent reforms are needed to restore dignity, fairness, and trust.

The correspondents are also demanding accountability from top leadership, including calls for CEO Ken Ngaruiya to step down over what they describe as prolonged neglect of their welfare.

The standoff has cast a spotlight on the broader challenges facing freelance and correspondent journalists, many of whom operate without stable contracts, benefits, or timely pay.

They warn that Friday’s protest could mark a turning point, not only for their grievances but for wider conversations about labour rights and sustainability in Kenya’s media industry.