Nairobi – TUKO.co.ke, a leading Kenyan digital news platform, has laid off the majority of its video production team as part of sweeping cost-cutting measures.
Sources close to the company reveal that the video department, once a powerhouse for viral human interest stories and inspirational content, has been reduced from its core members to just a handful of skeleton staff.
The downsizing comes after years of struggles in the video unit, which peaked around 2021 with high-profile exits like celebrated host Lynn Ngugi. Ngugi, who spearheaded shows such as Tuko Talks, and Inspire Kenya, departed after four years, leaving a void in YouTube growth that the team never fully recovered from.
Read Also: MTV Shuts Down Iconic 24-Hour Music Channels Worldwide After 44 Years
At its height, the department boasted producers, editors, and on-camera talents, churning out videos that amassed millions of views on platforms like YouTube.
Insiders attribute the video team’s decline to shifting digital trends and budget squeezes. By mid-2025, headcount had dwindled amid Kenya’s tough economic climate, with ad revenues failing to match production costs.
“Video content demands heavy investment in equipment, travel, and editing, but audience shift to short-form TikTok clips eroded our edge,” one former staffer noted anonymously.
