The BBC has announced plans to cut between 1,800 and 2,000 jobs worldwide, raising concerns for its major Nairobi bureau. Interim head Rhodri Talfan shared the news via an internal email on Wednesday. The Nairobi operation, employing nearly 600 staff, handles TV, radio, and digital content for Africa.
Rhodri Talfan, the BBC's interim head, informed staff via internal email that the corporation will reduce its global workforce of about 21,500 by 1,800 to 2,000 positions, or roughly 10%. “The overall number of jobs will fall by 1,800 to 2,000,” stated Rhodri. He added, “Put simply, the gap between our costs and our income is growing.”
Key drivers include high production inflation, pressure on the broadcasting license fee and commercial revenues, and a turbulent global economy. The BBC aims to find £500 million (about Ksh85 billion) in savings over the next two years.
The announcement hits the Nairobi bureau hard, the largest outside the UK with nearly 600 employees across TV, radio, and digital for Africa. It comes months after relocating the Focus on Africa podcast and co-presenting Newsday in late 2025.
Interim Director General Talfan Davies said it will take three to four months to implement changes without harming core radio, TV, and online services. Measures include tighter recruitment and travel controls, reduced spending on management consultants, and cuts to conferences and awards.
This mirrors layoffs in Kenyan media, with Mediamax Network, Nation Media Group (over 100 redundancies), and Standard Group (more than 300) among those affected by declining revenues.
