Former Standard Employee Zubeidah Narrates How She Can’t Access Her Sacco Savings

Former KTN News anchor Zubeidah Kananu has opened up about life after leaving Standard Group, revealing that her savings helped her survive after exiting the media house in September last year.

Speaking during an interview, Kananu urged journalists to develop a culture of saving, saying financial security can make a huge difference when employment ends unexpectedly.

Kananu said she started saving small amounts when she joined Standard Group, a decision that later helped her after leaving the company.

“Because since I exited last year, September, if I hadn’t saved, I don’t know, my story would be different.”
She recalled that she began by saving just Ksh 500.

“When I joined Standard Group, I used to save 500 shillings… Please, even if it’s not in that SACCO, somewhere else, save, save, save. You never know.”

Kenya Editors Guild Role Is Voluntary, Including Zubeidah’s Presidential Position

Kananu also addressed assumptions that she earns a salary as president of the Kenya Editors Guild.

She clarified that the position is voluntary and does not come with a paycheck.

“I’m sure many of you here think that because I’m the president of the Kenya Editors Guild, I have a salary. This is a voluntary job.”

She added, “These council members serve you voluntarily. We are not paid by the Kenya Editors Guild. So imagine if I hadn’t saved, how it would have been for me.”
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Zubeidah Speaks About Pressure to Keep Up Appearances

Kananu said many people working in the public eye struggle under pressure to maintain a certain lifestyle.

According to her, society expects public figures to live in expensive neighbourhoods, drive good cars and avoid ordinary public spaces.

“The society has set standards for us, especially those of us who are in the public domain. You are supposed to live in certain neighborhoods.”

She added, “That pressure has forced many of us to take loans that we cannot even pay because we want to please society. Because we want to appear in a certain way.”

Kananu said many people are silently battling financial challenges despite appearing successful. “We are living a lie, and I’ll tell you for a fact, many of us are living a lie. We want to show society that we are okay, but we are not.”

She warned that financial stress has become overwhelming for many people. “People are dying silently. People don’t wake up in the morning because loans have been taken out under pressure.”

‘Companies Don’t Care About You’

Kananu also reminded employees not to rely entirely on their employers for financial security.”The companies that you worked for, they don’t care about you. Now, if you have been robbed, you will know who cares about you.”

Her remarks encouraged workers to build personal savings and prepare for life beyond employment.

Background: Zubeidah’s Departure From Standard Group

Kananu left Standard Group in September 2025 after working at the media house for 18 years.

At the time, she thanked the company, colleagues and mentors for being part of her journalism journey but did not publicly state why she was leaving.
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Her latest remarks have renewed discussion about the financial challenges that have affected Standard Group in recent years.

The company has faced well-documented cash flow difficulties, including delayed salary payments and other financial pressures that have led to the exit of several employees.

However, Kananu has not explicitly said that those challenges were the reason for her resignation. Instead, her comments focused on the importance of saving money and preparing for unexpected changes in one’s career.

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Kenya Editors Guild President Zubeidah Kananu (photo: X/ Kenya Editors Guild)