I Was Fired While Battling Cancer, Former Standard Group Senior Editor Kizito Namulanda Reveals

I Was Fired While Battling Cancer, Former Standard Group Senior Editor Kizito Namulanda Reveals

Nairobi, Kenya – Former Standard Group senior editor Kizito Namulanda has revealed the harrowing experience of losing his job while undergoing treatment for throat cancer, a battle that has left him physically weakened and financially strained.

Namulanda, who worked at the media house for 15 years, recounted that his troubles began in February 2022 when a doctor noticed his persistent hoarseness and referred him to a throat specialist. Tests confirmed he had throat cancer, a diagnosis he described as devastating.

“With a young son at home, I found it hard to imagine what the future would bring. Online searches only worsened the fear as they revealed heartbreaking statistics, particularly for late-stage throat cancers,” Namulanda said.

Treatment in India

Following the diagnosis, Namulanda sought treatment in India where doctors prescribed a combination of radiotherapy and chemotherapy. The treatment took a heavy toll on his body, causing his weight to plummet from 74 kilograms to 40 kilograms.

“The constant treatments and medications drained me. Radiotherapy made swallowing food difficult, and I lost my appetite,” he explained.

Upon returning to Kenya, Namulanda went into isolation due to his weakened immunity. With Covid-19 cases rising at the time, doctors warned that even a mild infection could be fatal.

“Before I travelled back, the government had issued Covid-19 spike alerts, so we had to be careful. The doctors had warned that my immune system was still very weak and could not fight infections,” he recalled.

Surgery and Recovery

After several months, Namulanda returned to India for routine treatment, where surgeons performed a complex operation to remove part of his voice box.

“Before anaesthesia, I offered silent prayers and surrendered everything to God. When I woke up, it felt like a movie scene: I was in the ICU, strapped and immobile, with beeps all around,” he narrated.

“My wife, who had accompanied me, stood nearby, overwhelmed. Nurses checked me, and the doctors confirmed I had woken up. Though exhausted, I was still very eager to know how the operation went,” he added.

Shock Dismissal

Just as recovery began, Namulanda faced another devastating blow. On the day of his three-month post-surgery review, a colleague informed him that Standard Group had issued dismissal notices.

“A colleague informed me he’d received a termination notice and was reaching out to thank me for giving him a chance to work at KTN. I was in shock, as I wasn’t aware of any retrenchment plans,” Namulanda said.

Upon returning to Kenya, he attempted to challenge the decision, hoping the company would consider his medical condition. However, he claimed the management insisted on his termination, offering severance payments in ten monthly instalments.

Namulanda said he was told to sign the termination letter or risk losing his payment. With no choice, he signed. Fourteen months later, he says he is still pleading for the full settlement of his severance package.

“I have written several emails to explain how badly I need this money to get me out of my current financial strain that is threatening to take me back, but I still haven’t gotten any breakthrough. I remain hopeful as I pray about the matter,” he explained.

Conclusion

Namulanda’s account sheds light on the challenges faced by employees battling serious illnesses, particularly in industries undergoing restructuring. His story highlights the intersection of health, employment, and financial vulnerability, raising broader questions about workplace protections for individuals facing life-threatening conditions.

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I Was Fired While Battling Cancer, Former Standard Group Senior Editor Kizito Namulanda Reveals