When the umbrella media company that owns Mt Kenya TV and sister radio station, Iganjo FM, launched almost a year ago, it promised to revolutionize the Kikuyu media landscape in what it termed as ‘ituika’ (big revolution).
But hardly a year later after Slopes Media Ltd that is associated with Kirinyaga Woman Rep Purity Ngirici and her husband Andrew Ngirici, the so-called big revolution has amounted to hot air or a stillbirth for lack of a better term.
The kid to hit the overcrowded Kikuyu media market has not only failed to offer the Kikuyu audience something new as it had promised, but has also been a source of great frustration to almost all its entire workforce.
If you doubt that this media entity is a big let down to all those who had big expectations on it, let's tackle each point at a time.
1. Audience
Currently, both Kikuyu radio and TV markets are dominated by Royal Media Services and Mediamax Network Ltd via Inooro FM/TV and Kameme FM/TV respectively.
So, when Slopes Media came into the market and promised 'ituika' in Kikuyu broadcasting, the Kikuyu audience was ripe with expectations.
However, almost a year later, many can tell you, nothing close to 'ituika' has been witnessed apart from aping what the market leaders have been doing.
2. Workforce
If there is a group that has really felt the simmering heat of the media house's failed promise, it is the employees of the company whom according to an insider who have spoken to this writer on a condition of anonymity, have gone for over four months without pay.
To add insult on injury, two weeks ago, the media house fired several staffs who had allegedly boycotted work due to the over-delayed salaries.
Frustrated by the state of affairs at the company, Iganjo FM Head of Radio Kihara Wa Gathua resigned almost immediately together with his TV counterpart Macharia Gachuru.
Monica Kagoni who was Gachuru’s deputy, would also read the cue from her boss and too hang her boots.
3. Content providers
A month ago, this writer has confirmed, content providers, stopped submitting any more new content after going for months without pay for the previously provided content which had prompted actors and actresses to be up on arms against them demanding their pay.
This has seen the TV station resort to recycling old content in a bid to stay afloat.
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