[kictanet] Dr. Ndemo & the KBC Staff Strike

Tue Mar 6 08:57:11 EAT 2012

Washington,
KBC would emerge strong from this crisis.  We found KBC with a debt of
Ksh. 20 billion.  It used be the conduit for corruption through dumping of
technology especially the Medium Wave (MW) just as FM was emerging.  It
cost ten times more running a medium wave station than it is with FM.  We
are changing this.  So far we have six new FM stations replacing the old
technology.

We have spilit the organization into theree, that is, infrastructure under
Signet, Public Broadcast and Commercial Broabcast.  The later two will
basically content providers and would worry less on infrastructure that
will be supplied by Signet.

The strike was unnecessary since we had commited to implementing their
demands.  I had personally issued a circular to that effect.  Even the
Union they had joined advised them that the strike was illegal but
unfortunately they defied this.  Even more unfortunate they denounced the
Union out of anger.

We shall continue with the reforms and improve their welfare.  It is not
in our interest to see those we work with in the streets.  I was shocked
to realize that we have thousands of Kenyans seeking for employment.  I
think some of you may have watched TV the heaps of applications.  By
yesterday we had in excess of 10,000.  I was not misquoted because on
Sunday I was at the station and there were more than 1,000 applications. 
We must do something for our brothers and sisters.  Either we start
teaching them on areas of wealth creation or find ways of creating massive
employment.  We are trying in our sector but we have not done enough.

Ndemo.

> On Mon, Mar 5, 2012 at 21:06, Dennis Kioko <dmbuvi at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> I feel we should sort out our National Broadcaster. It's a pity that
>> other
>> private media stations have taken over KBCs position as we stood by and
>> watched. At the moment, KBC still has good will and can recover.
>>
>> It also does not make sense for we to push for cutting edge initiatives
>> such as Konza, TEAMS if we are going to let the state at KBC remain as
>> it
>> is. I am sure they can play  a major role in local content creation.
>>
>> Having colleagues in the journalistic filed at KBC, I have heard rumours
>> of situation where the national broadcaster's crew were first at ground
>> breaking events (read disasters) in the country. However, such news is
>> broken by private radio stations where the footage is sold even before
>> it
>> ever gets to KBCs studios. I have even heard more rumours of the
>> broadcasters equipment being used to shoot footage that ends up with
>> private broadcasters.
>>
>> I am sure the leaked payslips of staff at Standard Media Group
>> <http://thejackalnews.com/media-news/news-media/1688-horror-of-massive-salary-discrepancies-at-standard-group-exposed>led
>> to most of the staff questioning what it is they did wrong for their
>> colleagues at media school to end up on the better side of luck .
>>
>> An amicable solution is required. We are all sure that the national
>> broadcaster can make enough revenue to sustain a highly skilled
>> workforce,
>> given the right leadership.
>>
>> I believe Dr. Ndemo, having seeing his deeds in the ICT sector, can also
>> be the champion credited with overhauling KBC.
>>
>>
> @Dennis,
>
> For me, it's a simple question so far:
>
> What is it that KBC doesn't have (and cannot afford) that the private
> broadcasters do have?
>
> If someone can answer this for me, I'd be very happy because it's "looking
> at issues from BASIC PRINCIPLES". Maybe it's as hard as having to disband
> KBC, if that situation cannot be addressed.
> However, KBC being a National Broadcaster means it's funded by public
> taxes
> and that is a very very deep pocket! I am not ready to accept any
> explanation to the effect that the govt cannot put in place the necessary
> measures to make KBC a profitable business-case. Rumors have it that
> Management at KBC are well-connected individuals, not necessarily
> qualified, and that is typical for the govt, which is not a business and
> so
> is not expected to make profits, but KBC must make profits like other
> Media
> houses. I don't understand what it is that Citizen does right with its
> myriad Radio Stations that KBC cannot do, having been the only broadcaster
> before these FM Stations were born.
> Oh, most of KBC veterans can be heard at the private Radio Stations,
> especially Royal Media. Someone must be able to explain why they had to
> leave KBC for these other places. The reasons are obvious.
>
> Perhaps the govt should just bite the bullet and shut down KBC if they
> cannot improve it and attract talent and stop acting stupid!
>
>
> --
> Best regards,
> Odhiambo WASHINGTON,
> Nairobi,KE
> +254733744121/+254722743223
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