Tough call as Airtel sends home a third of its employees in bid to remain afloat

Airtel shop along Kenyatta Avenue. (Photo: Willis Awandu/Standard)

There was a somber mood at Airtel offices in Parkside Towers, Nairobi yesterday as the telecom firm laid off a third of its workforce. The Indian-owned firm which has unsuccessfully tried to cruise into profitability in the Kenyan market said it was undertaking a ‘strategic organisational restructuring’ aimed at improving efficiencies.

“Airtel Kenya is undertaking strategic organisational restructuring to improve efficiencies across functions with an aim to enhance customer experience. This initiative will impact some roles that will be merged or become redundant,” said Airtel in a statement.