Ruto Interview Comes Into Play As Standard Group Fires Peter Opondo

The Standard Media Group has sacked its Editor Broadcasting Peter Opondo, six months after he was employed.

In his place, Sophia Wanuna has been appointed in an acting capacity effective July 15, 2021.

In an internal memo, the editor-in-chief Ochieng Rapuro said that Opondo had left “to pursue other interests”.

Last Friday, our Editor Broadcasting Peter Opondo left the company to pursue other interests. I have therefore appointed Ms Sophia Wanuna to take charge of this segment of our operations until further notice.

said Rapuro.

However, in a Linkedin post, Opondo revealed that he was sacked, saying that “it is the first time I am terminated for “unsatisfactory performance”.“

There was no formal appraisal or feedback, there was no documentation or minutes about my alleged performance shortcomings, there was never discussion with or feedback from my boss, there was no PIP. Just a sacking letter. The HR honcho just told me my boss didn’t think I was the right person for the job. Fair enough, every boss is entitled to their own opinion. What about facts?

he wrote.

According to inside sources, Opondo was shown the door after organising an interview for Deputy President William Ruto, which did not augur well with the media house owners, the Moi family.

Opondo, it is alleged, was asked to resign to protect his professional reputation or be fired.

They then asked me to either sign the termination letter or resign on my own volition to “protect my professional reputation” – so that the company can announce I left to pursue “personal interests”. I chose to embrace my sacking. I was fired. It is what it is. This is nothing to be ashamed about…it’s someone’s opinion about me, it doesn’t change who I am. I am pretty sure I will be vindicated soon…so I own my low, and learn from it. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. Fail early, fail often, fail forward. It is life!

he added.

Before joining Standard Group in February, Opondo worked for Mediamax Network’s K24 TV where he was the Head of TV and Digital between April 2018 and June 2020.

He had also worked for Mediamax as the Group Managing Editor between July 2014 and August 2015.

Before joining K24, Opondo used to work at Royal Media Services owned station Citizen TV as the Managing Editor and later group Editorial consultant (October 2015 to February 2018).

Opondo also worked for NTV Uganda between August 2011 to June 2012 as the news Manager. Prior to that, he was the special projects Editor at KTN between November 2004 to February 2009.