Oliver Mathenge Leaves NTV After 3 Years, Shares Key Achievements

Oliver Mathenge announced his exit from the Nation Media Group (NMG) after three years on Friday, December 27, bringing to an end what he termed as a successful working spell at one of the biggest media houses in the East African region.

In a lengthy statement, Mathenge began by stating "Not sure who but I know someone once said; “We are but temporary custodians of the roles we hold; what matters is the impact we leave behind and the relationships we build.” This “quote” rings true as I walk out of Nation Media Group where I have spent half of my career, including the last three years."

Mathenge recounted that the three years he worked at NMG have been an incredible journey of learning, collaboration, and transformation and that he was deeply grateful for the experiences and relationships he built within the media organization.

As Multimedia Editor at NTV, Mathenge disclosed that he had the privilege of leading key initiatives that contributed to NMG's digital evolution in broadcasting.

Immediate former Nation Media Group Managing Editor (Audiences & Engagement) Oliver Mathenge. /FILE

"I am particularly proud of the team's work in developing the NTV Kenya website, which has grown into a valuable platform for NTV's diverse content. I am hopeful that our aspiration to build the most formidable VoD platform in the continent gets to be even with my exit," he stated.

He reminisced the 2022 general elections, remarking that the polls provided a unique opportunity to showcase the power of digital-first storytelling, and that he led the team's innovative use of data visualization and social media platforms which significantly impacted NMG's on-air coverage and shaped public discourse.

"Prior to my appointment as Managing Editor (Audiences and Engagement), I was involved in shaping the company's North Star and Content Strategy, which led to the establishment of an Integrated Newsroom. This experience provided valuable insights that have guided my approach to digital transformation," he continued.

"In my role as Managing Editor, I focused on enhancing audience engagement and driving digital growth. Working alongside an incredibly talented team, we implemented paywalls across Nation Africa, Business Daily, and The East African. This initiative, supported by robust analytics dashboards, has empowered the newsroom to prioritize quality journalism and create sustainable revenue streams."

Mathenge expressed pride in  the team's achievements in growing subscriptions. Additionally, he recalled chairing a task force that developed the NMG Artificial Intelligence (AI) Framework and had represented NMG on the Media Council of Kenya's (MCK) working group on AI guidelines.

"While NMG has made significant strides in its digital transformation, there is always room for further growth and innovation. I have shared my insights and recommendations for NMG's continued success in the digital space, and I am confident that the company will continue to invest in its digital future," he went on.

"The success of my endeavours at NMG is a testament to the incredible team I had the privilege to work with, particularly within the Audience and Engagement and Product teams. I believe that the Audience and Engagement team plays a vital role in NMG's future success, and I am confident that the company will continue to invest in and empower its digital teams."

Mathenge did not immediately announce his next move, though hinted that he would continue being part and parcel of the evolving media landscape. Having joined NMG in 2007, Mathenge started out as a news journalist, working in that position for five years until 2012.

Later in his career, he branched to the Radio Africa Group where he initially worked as Parliamentary Reports Editor. In 2017, he earned a promotion at Radio Africa, landing a role as Group Digital Editor for the company's outlets including The Star Newspaper, Mpasho, Classic 105 and Kiss 100.

He made a comeback to NMG in 2021, landing a job as the Managing Editor at NTV- a post that morphed into the Managing Editor in charge of Audience and Engagement thanks to additional changes effected in the media house in 2023.

The renowned journalist holds a Diploma in Management Information Systems from Strathmore University as well as a Bachelor of Arts, Communications (Electronic and Print Media option) degree from Daystar University.