Media personality Kizito Namulanda has revealed how he lost his job at Standard Media Group while undergoing cancer treatment.
In a narration, Kizito revealed that he was diagnosed with stage 3 laryngeal cancer 4 years ago, which led to a permanent voice disability.
He added that the battle worsened when he was served with a termination letter from his employer while still fighting the killer disease.
“In 2022, I faced a life-changing challenge: a diagnosis of cancer of the voice box. The journey was grueling, especially after my employment was terminated in a manner that made the struggle even harder,” he said.
According to the broadcast journalist, it all started with hoarse voice but he assumed it could have been as a result of a certain lifestyle.
However, an encounter with Engineer Peter Nduati’s wife Ruth Nduati was a wake-up call after she advised him to go for a medical checkup.
“I remember she asked me, “Kizito, what is happening to your voice? Have you had it checked out?” I hadn’t, assuming the hoarseness might be due to drinking too much dawa (ginger, lemon, and honey), or perhaps I had COVID-19 but managed to shrug it off. I had heard stories about hoarseness lasting a long time, but she insisted I needed to see an ENT specialist,” he narrated.
After a medical checkup, the doctors served him with bad news that he had voice box cancer that had progressed to stage 3.
“I had read that most often this type of cancer is caused by heavy smoking, yet I had never smoked even half a cigarette in my life. I wasn’t a heavy drinker either. I had always been health-conscious eating well and going to the gym.”
“From my Google searches, I learned that patients with this cancer who progress to stages 3 and 4 typically live, on average, for a maximum of six months. I had heard of cases where people deteriorated quickly and succumbed within six months of diagnosis. I could not imagine it. Later I learned that my disease had progressed to stage 3,” he added.
Completely shattered, Kizito began treatment and, with support from his family, flew to India for treatment at Max Super Specialty Hospital in Delhi.
As his condition deteriorated, he underwent a partial laryngectomy, a surgery that entails the removal of a part of a voice box.
“Dr. Hazarika later explained that the operation was extremely complex—one that many doctors usually avoided – but he took it on because he really wanted to save my voice so I could continue earning a living as a broadcast journalist.”
After the operation, he was discharged to recuperate in Nairobi while still continuing with his job at Standard Media Group.
“Recovery was a very rough journey, particularly the first month, when I could only feed through pipes. After returning to Nairobi, I required regular trips to New Delhi for follow-up treatment, which I still make to this day.”
Also Read: 8-year-old battling blood cancer appeals for help to seek treatment in India
Tragedy struck three months later when he was served with a termination letter after 19 years of working at the Mombasa Road-based media station.
According to Kizito, he was unaware of any retrenchment process in his department until a colleague called him to say he had received a termination notice.
He initially delayed collecting the letter hoping the company would reconsider, only to be emailed the official termination notice.
“I was completely shaken and confused, but an inner voice urged me to prioritise what mattered most, my health. After receiving favourable medical results, I returned to Nairobi to plead my case, but the company stood firm,” he added.
Kizito said Standard Group offered severance pay in 10 monthly installments rather than a lump sum.
He requested a faster payout due to his medical condition, but was told nothing would be discussed until he signed the termination letter. He was also warned that delaying the signature would result in him losing the first installment.
Desperate, he signed, but 14 months later, he says the company has still not settled the remaining severance.
“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,” he said.
The journalist says his journey has taught him two powerful lessons: that God never forsakes those who put their trust in Him, and that when life presents many battles, one must choose carefully which ones to fight.
Kizito took over as Head of Convergence at Standard Group in December 2020, where he was tasked with ensuring that the broadcasting, print, and digital divisions work in harmony and under the same editorial command.
He joined the organization as a News Editor in August 2005 from Mwananchi Communications Limited in Dar es Salaam Tanzania.
