One of East Africa’s most experienced editors is set to join one of the oldest media houses in the region.
Mr Joseph Odindo (pictured above), who retired from Nation Media Group as its editorial director in July 2014, is understood to have agreed to work for Standard Group on a four-year contract in a similar capacity. Business Today is informed that Mr Odindo is being fronted by the retired President Daniel arap Moi’s son, Gideon.
The latest move is a clear pointer to how crucial Standard Media Group business is to the Moi business empire. Gideon, the Baringo County Senator, has been more involved in Standard affairs, even influencing who is picked as CEO or editorial chief. The the family is keen on rejuvenating the media house ahead of the next elections.
Gideon has been pushing for the redemption of KANU, and has hinted that he may be going for the top seat come 2017 and is aware that positive media coverage, among other factors, will be crucial.
Besides hiring Mr Odindo, the Moi family is said to be shopping for a new chief executive to replace Mr Sam Shollei, who has failed to turnaround Standard’s businesses that include newspapers, TV, radio and PDS. Since assuming the CEO’s position in 2012, Mr Shollei, who was poached from Nation Media, has struggled to create wealth for the shareholders, with Standard Newspaper circulation dropping by close to 50% over the period. Radio Maisha and KTN’s performances have been waning.
The editorial director’s position fell vacant last year after Standard Group unceremoniously sacked Chaacha Mwita for allegedly “inciting editorial staff against the CEO”. The Industrial Court has since awarded Mr Chaacha Ksh67 million in damages for the dismissal.
Given the necessary support, Mr Odindo will certainly bolster Standard. A former NMG insider and strict editor, has more than two decades of media management. During his tenure at Nation Media Group, Mr Odindo saw the company’s outfits expand to Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda.
“The challenge he will face at Standard is that the company has a weak newspaper team. There are also few reliable writers remaining around after the redundancy purge saw most of them leave the firm,” said a media expert.
Mr Odindo is likely to reorganise the editorial team and bring in strong journalists from his former employer. Analysts say he may also seek the help of his Weekly Review colleagues – Jaindi Kisero and Macharia Gaitho – who are retiring from Nation Media Group in August.
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