Standard Group PLC has said its chief executive, Chaacha Mwita, will leave the Nairobi Securities Exchange-listed media house on November 1, barely seven months after he was confirmed in the top job.
In a notice signed by company secretary Catherine Kawira on behalf of the board, the publisher of The Standard, KTN and Radio Maisha said Mwita will also step down as an executive director. The firm did not give a reason for the exit and has not named a successor.
“The Board takes this opportunity to express its sincere appreciation to Mr Chaacha for his dedication and invaluable contribution to the Company,” the company said in a statement seen by Business Radar, adding that it wished him well in his future endeavours.
Latest in a string of exits
Mwita took over as acting chief executive on July 1, 2025, after Marion Gathoga-Mwangi resigned, and was confirmed as substantive CEO from April 1, 2026. His departure will make him the fifth chief executive to leave the group in under three years.
The boardroom has also been reshuffled this month. On October 12 the company said Edward Mwasi and Dr James McFie had resigned as non-executive directors with effect from August 31. Days later it appointed Anthony Ambaka Kegode, Tom Odongo and Elishah Njeru as independent non-executive directors from October 15.
Pressure on traditional media
The leadership churn comes as Standard Group, like other print and broadcast houses, grapples with weaker advertising as audiences and brands shift online. The company has reported losses in recent years, suspended a planned rights issue of about Sh1.5 billion that was meant to shore up capital, and faced delays collecting advertising debts that have strained cash flow.
Market watchers have flagged the high turnover. Analysts at Mwango Capital said the exit “continues high leadership turnover at the media group amid ongoing losses,” noting that no reason or successor was disclosed. The board is expected to set out interim arrangements before November 1.
Kenya’s entertainment and media market is still growing on the back of internet advertising, as we reported in our coverage of PwC’s outlook for the sector, but that growth has not evenly benefited legacy newsrooms.
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