A local vernacular radio station that broadcasts in Meru language has fired over 10 employees after they downed their tools on Tuesday to protest what they termed as 'threats, intimidation and abuse of intellectualism'.
The sacked Wendo FM employees had also complained of delayed salaries, harassment and an 'arrogant' head of radio (Gladys Micheni) whom they claim has no media training background.
"The other day Micheni threatened to terminate our contracts and poach from Muuga FM and Meru FM and pay each of the poached staffs Sh150,000, something that we know is practically impossible. But if that is the plan, we've no problem with it as long as we are paid all our pending salaries,"one of the fired employees who sought anonymity told this writer on Wednesday evening via phone.
The fired employees from the station's editorial, marketing, production and programming departments have, however, vowed continue to fighting on till 'we get justice and have all our dues paid'.
At the same time they have called the Media Council of Kenya to weed out all media managers without media training in other media houses, noting that their current predicament is as a result of having an 'incompetent and unprofessional' manager.
Wendo FM which broadcasts on 100.9FM in Tharaka-Nithi County is owned by Tigania East MP, Gichuge Kabebea.