Standard Group, the oldest media house in East Africa, has appointed Dr Naim Bilal Yaseen as its new CEO and Managing Director w.e.f November 1s5 2926, just days after the Board settled on John Bundotich to handle the ship after the resignation of Chaacha Mwita.
Dr Yaseen brings more than 30 decades of experience in media, public institutions and corporate governance to the Mombasa Road corner office. He has previously served as Managing Director of Kenya Broadcasting Corporation(KBC) and as Director of Public Affairs and Communication at the Judiciary. He holds a PhD in Communication studies, A Master of Arts in Communications Policy and an MBA and Bachelor of Laws, and in an advocate of the High Court of Kenya.
The Standard Group Board said it is confident Dr Yaseen will strengthen the Group’s digital and commercial performance and uphold the editorial independence on which public trust in its journalism depends
Dr. Naim Bilal Yaseen replaces Chaacha Mwita, who resigned after seven months as substantive CEO, under unclear circumstances. Chaacha left Mombasa Road at a time the media house is embroiled in several disputes with the Communication Authority of several of its broadcasting licenses and unpaid fees.
It was also during Chaacha’s tenure as CEO that Standard Group began appearing to rub the current Kenya Kwanza administration, the wrong way.
Dr Yaseen becomes Standard Group’s fifth person to hold the CEO role since 2018, after Orlando Lyomu, Joe Munene, Marion Gathoga-Mwangi and and Chaacha Mwita.
The rapid fire leadership changes come as Standard Group and other mainstream media houses grapple with stiff competition in the market from numerous digital platforms as well as make-shift media outlets.
The market will be keenly following on whether the new leadership and the Board can lift the suspension it has placed on the previously proposed Rights Issue. This decision was apparently taken after careful consideration of prevailing market conditions and strategic financing options, which have yet to be made public.
Also under scrutiny will the the Board that now has fresh blood in the form of Anthony Ambaka Kegode, Tom Odongo and Elishah Njeru as Independent Non-Executive Directors.
The Standard Group Plc, that is associated with the Moi family, is a multi-media organization with investments in media platforms spanning newspaper print operations, television, radio broadcasting, digital and online services. The Standard newspaper, KTN, KTN News, Radio Maisha, The Nairobian weekly newspaper, Standard Digital, The Standard Entertainment, Ktn Farmers, KTN Burudani, Spice FM and Vybes Radio.
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