It's a dark day for the staff of Mombasa based Islamic radio station, Radio Rahma as the station owners shut down the news department, firing all news staff.
The station owned by Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir has been struggling financially in recent years.
In a letter dated August 9 addressed to all staff, the station CEO Nasra Abdulswamad declared the news staff redundant giving them a 30 day notice.
"The last couple of years have been bundled with huge financial challenges. As a result we have had to take tough task of strategizing and downscaling our operations. With a heavy heart and as communicated on 8th August 2023 at the consultative meeting held at Istiqama Group of Schools, we have had to make sorry decisions of doing away with the news department. It is our considered view that going forward we need to reduce the wage bill before the whole ship comes sinking on us. In the light of the same, we have made the painful decision of declaring redundant the News team in its entirely." reads part of the letter seen by this blog.
Adding “Please take note that this notice serves as a the 1-month advance notice , and any employee in the afore mentioned list shall be deemed not an employee of Rahma Broadcasting Limited at the close of 30 days”
https://ommydalla.co.ke/people/item/3138-is-this-the-end-of-radio-rahma
The station management has also been forced to do away with some of the programs including Swabahal- Kheir, Ulimwengu wa Wanawake and Rahma Drive.
The letter further states "We do not currently require you to work for us during your notice period. However you should remain available for work in case this changes. You are entitled to take a reasonable amount of paid time off work to look for alternative employment and attend job interviews. Before taking any such time off, you should get your managers agreement."
Those affected included top radio presenters and reporters that have served the station for many years.
They include:
1.Ruth Keah – Chief editor.
2. Athuman Luchi – Online editor in charge of the company website and podcast.
3. Nuru Mwalimu – Business News Editor.
4. Baya Kitsao – Reporter, Kilifi County.
5. Mwanaharusi Rashid – Reporter, Kwale County.
6. Abdalla Mwanyiro – Reporter, Lamu county.
7. Mkalla Seif – Reporter Mombasa county.
Other presenters and producers affected include
Ali Mwalim-Programs controller
Saumu Ali – Presenter
Rose – Producer
Saumu Ali – Producer
Mariam Juma among others.
