Standard Group has once again been hit hard following the exit of its seasoned journalist Allan Ochanda, who had made a name on KTN bulletins.
In a farewell message to his colleagues on the eve of the new year, Ochanda announced his decision to resign from the giant media house after six years of service.
He described his journey as worthwhile, noting that he joined the organization naive and green but was leaving as a better person and a more skilled journalist.
Ochanda wished the vibrant and energetic team continued success in 2026 and beyond.
“Good evening great team. After six years of service to this revered company, I call it a day. The journey was worthwhile. I came in naive and green. I leave a better person, a better scribe. As we move into 2026 and the years to come, I wish this vibrant energetic team success. Asanteni sana,” read Ochanda’s farewell message to his former colleagues.
Ochanda, has not disclosed his next career move. However, with the electioneering period approaching and his flawless bilingual skills, he could still make a return to Kenya’s television screens.
Profile of Allan Ochanda
Allan Ochanda began his media career at Ebru TV, where he became well-known for his bilingual reporting and distinctive presentation style.
He attended Lubinu High School in Mumias East, Kakamega County, before pursuing media studies at Multimedia University.
Starting as a reporter at Ebru TV, he later advanced to the role of news anchor.
Allan Ochanda subsequently joined KTN News as a regional correspondent, serving in the Nakuru bureau.
Ochanda has also worked for KTN in Nairobi, Meru and Kakamega bureaus, proving himself as a journalist who can thrive in diverse environments.
Standard Group Exits and Financial Woes
The Standard Group has experienced an unrelenting exodus of talent for years now, mainly due to its financial challenges and management woes.
KTN Anchor Zubeidah Kananu Koome, Ashley Mazuri, and Ken Mijingu are some notable journalists who quit the media group in 2025.
Listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange and owned by the Daniel Moi family, the media company has come under scrutiny for delayed employee salaries, attributed to ongoing financial constraints.
In 2024, the Kenya Union of Journalists (KUJ) stated that Standard Group owed its staff six months of unpaid salaries.
The Standard Group PLC reported a pre-tax loss of Ksh1.1 billion for the year ending December 2024.
Audited financial results indicate that the Group generated Ksh1.8 billion in total revenue, alongside an additional Ksh77,885 in other income.
It incurred operating costs totaling Ksh2.9 billion, resulting in a comprehensive loss of Ksh1,099,755.
The Group explained that the media industry is currently experiencing significant disruptions that are adversely affecting revenue streams and profit margins across mainstream business sectors.
According to the Standard Group’s Board, the macroeconomic environment remained challenging in 2024, characterized by a slowdown in growth and Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
By TheKenyaTimes