Adani-JKIA deal whistleblower Nelson Amenya has split beans on how KTN News and the Standard Media Group has turned hostile to employees.
Through his X handle, Nelson Amenya sensationally claimed that the newsroom climate has deteriorated, pointing to recent disciplinary actions against senior journalists.
He alleged that last week KTN anchor Ali Manzu was served with a show cause letter for allowing Zubeida, head of the Editors’ Guild of Kenya, to attend an editors’ meeting in Tanzania, a trip meant to raise the profile of KTN and the country.
According to the claims, Zubeida was also handed a similar letter shortly after, with both documents signed by the Human Resource department on behalf of Alex Kiprotich Chepkoit.
Amenya described the situation as a “reign of pettiness,” alleging that Alex and a close associate named Sharon have positioned themselves as de facto leaders who intimidate, threaten and discipline staff.
Sources cited in the thread claimed that Manzu’s defence was that he had no authority to approve a news anchor’s absence, while Zubeida, sent by Acting CEO Chacha Mwita, reportedly refused to sign her letter.
Amenya alleged that she was escorted to security for statement recording, describing the newsroom as being “run by guards” under Alex’s watch.
Amenya also accused Alex of carrying a firearm within the Mombasa Road offices, likening his management style to “colonial settlers patrolling their farms.” He claimed Alex often invoked the name of Gideon Moi in conversations to exert influence over staff.
Further, the whistleblower alleged that staff morale had plummeted, with threats becoming routine. He said readership and ratings had dropped sharply, noting that KTN had fallen to fourth place behind TV47. Sales officers and drivers were quoted as expressing disillusionment, blaming leadership appointments they considered unqualified.
Amenya concluded by accusing Alex of “bleeding the company” and called the situation a “daily meltdown” at one of Kenya’s oldest media institutions.
The Standard Media Group has not issued an official statement on the allegations.
