The Standard Group PLC has formally appointed Chaacha Mwita as its substantive Chief Executive Officer, effective 1 April 2026, bringing an end to a nine-month stint in an acting capacity.
His elevation places a seasoned newsroom figure in charge of a media house grappling with shrinking advertising revenues and an increasingly fraught regulatory environment.
Mwita, who holds an MBA from the University of St Gallen alongside qualifications in mass communication and education from the University of Nairobi, brings extensive experience spanning media operations across more than ten African countries. Notably, his appointment marks the fifth CEO change at the company in under three years, underlining persistent leadership instability.
Mwita’s rise to the top job completes a rather dramatic full circle. He was ousted from the company in April 2014 following reported pressure from State House over a front-page exposé on a KSh 100 million government retreat at the Mt Kenya Safari Club.
His exit also followed internal tensions over editorial decisions, including a shelved investigative piece. Ironically, his earlier tenure had delivered a 40% surge in circulation, making his return all the more striking.
He rejoined the board in July 2023, briefly stepped away in August 2024, then returned in April 2025 as Chief Executive Editor. Following the resignation of CEO Marion Gathoga-Mwangi in June 2025, Mwita was appointed Acting CEO from July 1, 2025, before now being confirmed in the role.
Mwita inherits a position that has seen rapid turnover:
- Marion Gathoga-Mwangi exited in June 2025
- Joe Munene had previously served in an acting capacity
- Orlando Lyomu resigned in July 2023 after a tenure marked by debt-fuelled expansion
- Sam Shollei led the company between 2012 and 2017
The pace of leadership changes paints a picture of a firm still searching for steady footing.
The appointment comes at a precarious moment. The company is battling to retain its broadcasting licences after the Communications and Multimedia Appeals Tribunal upheld a revocation notice issued by the Communications Authority of Kenya.
This decision paves the way for the possible shutdown of six outlets, including:
- KTN News
- KTN Burudani
- Radio Maisha
- Spice FM
- Vybez Radio
- Berur FM
Outstanding regulatory obligations stand at KSh 48.87 million, covering licence fees and universal service fund levies.
While the company acknowledges the debt, it maintains that the government owes it KSh 1.2 billion in unpaid advertising bills, framing the dispute as politically charged. The matter is now headed to the High Court, where an appeal would temporarily halt licence cancellations.
Further complicating matters, the board has paused a planned KSh 1.5 billion rights issue, which had already received regulatory approval.
The offer, structured as an 11-for-3 share issuance priced at KSh 5.29, was intended in part to support obligations to the regulator. Its suspension signals caution as the company reassesses market conditions and deal structure.
In confirming the appointment, the board cited Mwita’s performance during his interim tenure, pointing to his leadership, experience, and integrity as key factors behind the decision.
