Former Standard Group journalist Ken Mijungu has weighed in on the ongoing public fallout between President William Ruto and Standard Group proprietor Gideon Moi, saying the focus should not shift from the plight of employees who endured years of unpaid salaries.
Mijungu on Thursday morning said current and former employees had paid the price of the media house’s financial troubles, with many still waiting to receive millions of shillings in salary arrears.
“This has nothing and something to do with the online fight between the President and his friend and brother GM. Truth is that as an employee of Standard Group, we suffered years and months of unpaid salaries. Employees remain unpaid to-date. They owe millions to us,” Mijungu said.
He revealed that the salary delays left many workers struggling financially, with some losing property, others developing health complications and several families breaking apart under the weight of prolonged financial hardship.
“People lost assets, others became sick. Some colleagues even lost partners who did not understand their predicament. Families have been broken and health issues escalated,” he added.
Mijungu, however, said responsibility should not rest on one side alone, calling on Standard Group to clear salary arrears owed to both current and former employees while urging the government to settle any legitimate debts owed to the company.
“SG needs to pay what they owe former and current employees. The government also needs to pay what it genuinely owes SG. This suffering is unacceptable and unnecessary. Political scores will be settled on the ballot,” he said.
His remarks come as the public exchange between President Ruto and Gideon Moi continues to gather momentum after the President accused the Standard newspaper of political bias before later raising concerns over the treatment of workers at the media house.
Mijungu’s statement introduces a new dimension to the debate by shifting attention from the political confrontation to the welfare of journalists and other employees who, he says, continue to bear the consequences of the company’s financial challenges.
For years, Standard Group has faced financial difficulties, with employees repeatedly raising concerns over delayed salaries.
The company has previously maintained that outstanding payments owed by government agencies have contributed to its cash flow challenges.
As the war of words between the President and Gideon Moi continues, Mijungu’s intervention has renewed calls for both parties to address the issues affecting workers instead of allowing them to become casualties of a political battle.