Eddie Butita's Media House Makes Shock Move To Buy Edgar Obare's BNN Platform

Stage Presence Media (SPM) Africa, the parent company of SPM Buzz and SPM Africa Studios, has taken a decisive step toward expanding its digital media footprint after its board approved a resolution authorising management to table a formal offer to acquire BNN.

The move follows BNN’s public announcement that it is open to a sale, setting the stage for what could become one of the most notable shake-ups in the regional digital media space. The gossip-driven platform is owned by controversial blogger Edgar Obare.

If successful, the acquisition would significantly strengthen SPM Africa’s position in online news and content production, consolidating audiences across multiple platforms and accelerating its growth strategy in a fast-evolving media landscape.

While financial details of the potential deal remain under wraps, industry watchers opine that the bid signals rising consolidation in Africa’s digital media sector as platforms race to scale, diversify revenue streams, and lock in loyal audiences.

A screen grab of SPM reception. /DEM WA FACEBOOK.THE KENYA TIMES

"SPM Africa (parent company to SPM Buzz and SPM Africa Studios) board approves a resolution authorising management to place an offer to acquire BNN, following the platform’s announcement that it is up for sale," SPM Buzz announced in an Instagram post on Wednesday, December 17.

SPM Africa has yet to expound on the timeline or terms of the proposed offer, but the development alone has already sparked intense speculation about the future of BNN and the broader media market.

What Will This Mean?

SPM Africa’s move to potentially acquire BNN is more than just a business transaction—it signals a major shake-up in the digital media landscape in Kenya as well as in Africa.

At a basic level, if the deal goes through, SPM Africa will expand its portfolio of platforms, integrating BNN’s audience, content, and resources with its own operations through SPM Buzz and SPM Africa Studios. This would not only increase the company’s reach but also give it a stronger foothold in diverse media segments, from online news to entertainment content production.

For consumers, the merger could mean a more consolidated news experience. Audiences may see enhanced content offerings, cross-platform storytelling, and possibly improved technology for content delivery, such as mobile apps or interactive digital experiences.

BNN’s existing audience could benefit from more investment in platform infrastructure, higher production values, and potentially broader coverage across Africa and even globally.

On the business side, the acquisition reflects the growing trend of consolidation in African digital media. As competition for audience attention intensifies, companies are seeking scale to improve revenue through advertising, subscriptions, and content partnerships.

SPM Africa could leverage BNN’s assets to increase ad inventory, boost influencer collaborations, and attract larger corporate clients looking for pan-African reach.

However, there are risks. Integration of teams, cultures, and systems can be challenging, and some online audiences might resist changes to BNN’s existing style or editorial voice. Regulatory approval and financial structuring of the deal could also influence its success.

In simple terms, there are fears by BNN's followers that the acquisition could take away what it was well known for, for years: unfiltered gossip and exposés, though some of the content has landed Obare in trouble with the law.

Still, the potential acquisition is a clear signal that Africa’s media sector is maturing and that players like SPM Africa are positioning themselves to dominate the digital space. For BNN, it’s an opportunity to scale faster, and for SPM Africa, it’s a strategic move to cement its place as a leading media powerhouse in the region.

Comedian Eddie Butita owns the platform and opened the media house's headquarters in 2021 as a media entity offering platforms for young creatives in terms of acting, videography, TV Hosting, radio shows, and podcasts.

This move comes after Obare announced that he was selling the BNN platform, revealing that the sale covered the company’s entire digital footprint, including social media accounts, brand identity, data, and registered trademarks.

“FOR SALE: BNN LTD – all digital assets, brand, data, and trademarks. Serious inquiries only. Deposit required,” read the post, emphasising that only genuine buyers would be entertained.

Obare had suffered a significant legal blow. On November 7, the High Court ruled against him in a defamation suit brought by model Bernice Nunah and another plaintiff, directing him to pay Ksh6 million in damages and issue a public apology.

The court found him responsible for a defamatory post he published in December 2022. Many online users claimed that the order had prompted him to sell his platform to pay the legal damages.