Radio Africa Limited has laid off 27 employees as part of a major restructuring move, in what the Group Chief Executive Officer described as “one of the most challenging moments” in the company’s history.

The announcement, issued via an internal memo on Friday and signed by Group CEO Martin Khafafa, confirmed the decision had been made a day earlier and framed it as a necessary response to rising operational costs and the prevailing tough economic environment.

"Yesterday, we made the incredibly difficult decision to let go of 27 of our colleagues. This was one of the most challenging moments in our journey," ," Khafafa wrote in the memo.

"These individuals have been part of our team for many years, some for over 20 years"

While acknowledging the emotional toll of the redundancies, he explained the move was critical to sustaining the business.

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“Please know that this decision was not taken lightly; it was necessary to ensure the sustainability of our business while facing rising operational costs in a harsh economic climate," Khafafa stated.

Khafafa attempted to reassure remaining staff, noting the layoffs were part of a broader transformation strategy aimed at stabilising the business and strengthening its future outlook.

"I understand that the current mood is heavy, and I fully recognise the uncertainty this may have caused. This restructuring is intended to stabilise our operations and position the company for future growth," he said.

He called on staff to support one another and stay focused, promising continued leadership through the transition.

“Our priority now is to support each other, remain focused, and continue delivering the value and experience that our clients expect from us," the memo read.

Looking ahead, Khafafa underscored his vision of evolving Radio Africa into a robust audiovisual enterprise, while pledging openness and continuity.

“I want to reassure you of my commitment to transparency, stability, and creating a more resilient company as we work to transform our organization into a leading audiovisual business. I am confident in our ability to navigate this period together.”

Radio Africa Limited, which operates several of Kenya’s prominent media brands, has joined a growing list of companies reassessing their workforce to cope with economic headwinds affecting various sectors.