Govt Drops Standard Media! Shocking Twist in Multi-Million Ad Deal Shake-Up!
The government has scrapped advertisements with Standard Media Group for the National Irrigation Sector Investment Plan (NISIP) media campaign.
In a directive issued on March 14, the Ministry of ICT instructed the State Department for Irrigation to collaborate with The Star, Cape Media, and Nation Media Group, along with the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC).
Initially, Standard Media Group had been approved for the campaign, but its inclusion was later revoked due to administrative recommendations, according to the ministry.
The directive, signed by Michael Okidi on behalf of Principal Secretary for Broadcasting and Telecommunications Edward Kisiang’any, instructed officials to proceed with the selected media houses.
“The campaign should be carried out through The Star, Cape Media, and Nation Media Group, in addition to KBC,” Kisiang’any stated.
Additionally, the ministry required the State Department for Irrigation to submit copies of signed space orders to the Government Advertising Agency (GAA) for compliance tracking.
This decision comes amid an ongoing legal battle over the government’s advertising policies.
The High Court in Nairobi has delayed a crucial ruling on whether the state’s decision to centralize advertisements is lawful. Initially scheduled for February 6, the ruling was postponed, and Justice Lawrence Mugambi is now expected to deliver his verdict on March 21, 2025.
The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has challenged the government’s move to restrict state advertisements to specific media houses.
The Kenya Kwanza administration had earlier directed state agencies to cease advertising in three major newspapers—The Standard Group PLC, Nation Media Group, and People Daily—choosing instead to publish government notices exclusively in The Star.
This contract was awarded to Convergence Africa Media Limited.
In court, LSK argued that The Star’s limited circulation outside Nairobi prevents many Kenyans from accessing vital government information, such as job vacancies and tenders.
“Since the My.Gov publication faces restrictions in distribution and printing, a significant number of Kenyans outside Nairobi risk missing crucial updates,” said LSK lawyer Peter Wanjiku.
Last year, the government also withdrew advertisements from independent radio and television stations, mandating that all state-funded ads be placed solely with KBC.
Before that, ministries and parastatals had been instructed to advertise exclusively in My.Gov, which is only distributed through The Star.
