TOP SCRIBES QUIT NATION MEDIA IN A HUFF

Four editors have left nation Media group in three weeks as jostling for positions of editorial director that was left vacant following the retirement of Joseph Odindo reaches fever-pitch.

The first to resign was peter Mwaura of the east African, followed by deputy news editor Patrick Mayoyo. Then went business editor Wachira Kangaru followed by investigations editor Samuel Siringi. Seniour political writer Bernard Namunene is also said to be on his way out.

Mayoyo and Siringi are said to be heading to Standard media group where they have been offrered senior editorial positions in a new bid to shore up its market share.

Reports indicate that the Star newspaper is also gearing to poach from NMG and Standard. The Star owners, radio Africa, are said to be working on final plans to launch a Sunday paper.

Standard is said to be hunting for new editors to replace Martin Masai, who was the regional editor before being appointed as the director of communications at Parliament and Patrick Mathangathi, who was the features editor before joining Royal Media Services.

The editors, sources said, are leaving due to poor remuneration, promises of better pay and promotions which are never fulfilled. Nation colleagues of  Siringi and Mayoyo told Weekly Citizen that the departure of the two is blow to NMG. Kangaru is said to be heading back to  Safaricom.

Insiders say all is not well at the twin towers since Odindo retired in June. NMG human resource director Mwikali Muthiani left following exodus of reporters early this year.

The exodus was blamed on the disparity of salaries among different cadres with a selected few employees being paid huge salaries while the majority languished in poverty.

However, even after the Deloitte and Touche completed its work on the staff rationalization programme and the matter was passed over to the NMG board, the report has not been acted upon.

Angry workers at NMG are questioning why the Deloitte and Touche report on staff rationalising has not been acted upon regarding retirements, promotions and new salary structures. Tom Mshindi, the group chief operating officer, was appointed in acting capacity as the NMG board looks for a replacement for Odindo. Mshindi has sent ripples at the Nation Centre due to his interferences in editorial decision making processes and attempt to micromanage editors and managing editors.

NMG chief executive Linus Gitahi is also said to be on his out soemthing that has complicated the succession plan at the Aga Khan-owned outfit.