Former Standard Group employees issue 7-day strike notice over salary arrears

Former employees of Standard Media Group, who were retrenched in the past two years, have issued a seven-day notice to the Nairobi Regional Police Commander of their intention to hold protests over their outstanding salary arrears.

For months, the former employees have accused the media house of failing to honour their salaries after laying them off.

On Wednesday, the disgruntled former staff presented the letter to the Regional Commander, notifying the police that they will hold protests next week from Tuesday, April 15, to Thursday, April 17, 2025.

In the letter, the procession will begin at Airtel offices then proceed to General Motors before presenting their petition at the Standard Group offices on Mombasa Road.

"We wish to draw the attention of the nation, national leaders, people of goodwill, and responsible bodies and organizations to hear our plight and hold the management of Standard Group PLC responsible and make them honour their obligations," read part of the letter.

"We expect a group of about 50 people to turn up and promise to be peaceful and lawful as we did on two other occasions last year."

The former employees argued that the protests would yield results faster than a court process.

The law requires anyone organising a protest to notify the police commander of the nearest station between three and fourteen days before the event.

"We would be grateful for your assistance in providing security on the above-stated dates at the stated times and venue," added the letter to the police.

In November last year, the former employees gathered outside the company's premises along Mombasa Road, demanding the management to pay them their dues. 

"We are over 400 employees, former and united in anguish and purpose to demand what is rightfully ours. The government, it's time for you to act, we demand immediate payment of all our dues," Nicholas Lusuli, one of the former staff, stated then.

They accused the CEO Marion Mwangi of using underhanded tactics to frustrate their efforts.

In a rejoinder, the CEO said the management held a meeting with the former employees and agreed to fulfill the outstanding dues.

"Both parties have agreed to establish a working group comprising representatives from both sides to engage directly with the Group Chief Executive Officer in order to address the payment delays," read part of the statement then.

The indignant staff, however, refuted claims that they held a meeting with the CEO to chart a way forward.