The story of Kizito Namulanda shows how painful and unpredictable the media industry has become for the people who give their lives to it.
For 15 years, he worked at the Standard Group, shaping stories, guiding younger journalists, and giving his full commitment to the newsroom.
But when he became seriously ill, the loyalty he had shown for more than a decade suddenly meant nothing.
His long service, dedication, and influence could not protect him from being pushed out at the moment he needed support the most.
His experience is now a reminder of how quickly a respected professional can be abandoned when a company begins to struggle financially.
Kizito’s troubles began in February 2022 when he noticed he had a hoarse voice that would not go away.
A doctor advised him to see a throat specialist, and that visit changed everything.
Tests showed he had throat cancer, something he never imagined he would be dealing with. The news hit him hard. He had a young son, and all he could think about was whether he would stay alive long enough to watch him grow.
Searching for answers online only made him more frightened because the survival rates for late-stage throat cancer were discouraging.
Each day became heavier as he tried to accept the reality he was facing.
Doctors later advised him to go to India for more intensive treatment. That marked the beginning of a long, painful, and expensive journey.
The treatment involved radiotherapy and chemotherapy, and they took a brutal toll on his body.
His weight dropped from 74kg to 40kg. Eating became unbearable because swallowing caused so much pain.
At the same time, he felt his energy disappear. When he returned to Kenya, the Covid-19 situation forced him into isolation because his weak immunity meant even a simple infection could be deadly.
He went back to India for follow-up treatment, where surgeons removed part of his voice box. He remembered the fear he felt before the surgery, whispering silent prayers and wondering if he would wake up again.
When he opened his eyes in the ICU, connected to tubes and machines, he described the moment as unreal, almost like he had stepped into another world.
His wife stood beside him, relieved he survived but emotionally exhausted by the entire journey.
But just when he thought recovery was finally within reach, another blow came. During his three-month review in India, a colleague sent him a message saying he had been laid off from the Standard Group and thanked Kizito for helping him in his career.
That message shocked him, and soon he learned that he too had been dismissed. The company had chosen to cut him off while he was thousands of miles away, stitched up, weak, and fighting for his life.
When he returned to Kenya, he tried to challenge the decision, believing the company would show compassion or at least acknowledge his service. Instead, he says they pressured him to sign termination documents and offered to pay his severance in ten instalments, which showed how badly the company was doing financially.
He signed because he had no strength to fight. Fourteen months later, he still claims the Standard Group has not paid him fully, leaving him to send reminder after reminder with no proper response, even as his financial situation grows worse.
His story raises serious questions about how workers in the media industry are treated, especially when they fall ill. It shows a company struggling to survive and a management that makes decisions without considering the human cost.
If someone who served for 15 years can be let go in such a painful manner, then the situation for younger and lesser-known employees is even more worrying.
Today, Kizito continues to push forward despite everything. His battle did not end with the surgery. It continues through the emotional, financial, and physical challenges he still faces. All he hopes for now is fairness and a small sign of humanity from the employer he once served with so much commitment.
