Govt Denies Standard Group Chance To Earn Millions In Adverts

The Ministry of ICT, Innovations, and Youth Affairs has cancelled all advertising campaigns with the Standard Group Limited, including the media campaign for the launch of the National Irrigation Sector Investment Plan (NISIP).

In a letter dated Friday, March 14, the State Department of Broadcasting and Telecommunications instructed that the campaign be managed by The Star, Cape Media, and Nation Media Group, along with the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC), a move that excludes the media house from reaping big from multimedia adverts.

"Please note that, following administrative advice, the inclusion of Standard Media Group has been cancelled. Please proceed to engage The Star, Cape Media, and Nation Media Group for the campaign, alongside the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC)," the letter signed by Michael Okidi on behalf of Broadcasting and Telecommunications Principal Secretary (PS) Edward Kisiang'ani read in part.

Principal Secretary, State Department of Telecommunication and Broadcasting Prof Edward Kisiang'ani speaking during a Leadership training on newsroom management in transition and media regulation for KBC editors on July 21, 2023. /MEDIA COUNCIL OF KENYA

The letter, dated March 14, reversed a decision made on March 10 regarding the NISIP campaign.

"Reference is made to your letter Ref. No. MSWI/SDI/ADM/10/82, dated March 10, 2025, on the above subject, and our subsequent response via our letter Ref. No. MICDE/GAA/ADM/1/39 Vol. X (134), which approved the engagement of The Star newspaper, Standard Media Group, and Cape Media for the above campaign," the letter read in part.

The letter also instructed that copies of the space orders for the selected media houses be regularly shared with the Director of the Government Advertising Agency (GAA) to ensure compliance.

In recent weeks, the Standard newspaper has faced controversy over bold headlines targeting senior government officials, including President William Ruto.

One such headline, published on March 2 and titled "Cunning Ruto," drew a response from the President. Speaking at Jesus Winner Ministry on the same day, he dismissed the claims made by the publication.

''If you read today's newspaper, the headline states that Ruto is very cunning. I want to tell them that am not as cunning as they think. This is the grace of God that is leading me. We believe in God,'' Ruto stated. 

Other politicians who have suffered a similar fate are Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and Deputy President Kithure Kindiki who were described as "Mere Flower Girls" in the March 9 issue.

Just a day ago, former Prime Minister and President Ruto's newest collaborator Raila Odinga was described as a "Greedy Watchdog" by the paper.