Government Cancels Advertising with Standard Group
The Ministry of ICT has officially withdrawn all advertising campaigns with the Standard Group, citing administrative reasons.
According to a letter obtained by Newshub.co.ke, Principal Secretary Edward Kisiang’ani removed the media house from a previously approved list of outlets selected for an upcoming government irrigation campaign.
The letter, dated March 14, reversed a decision made just four days earlier on March 10 regarding the National Irrigation Sector Investment Plan (NISIP) campaign. Initially, the government had approved Standard Group,
The Star newspaper, and Cape Media to participate in the campaign. However, the new directive excluded Standard Group from the list.
“Reference is made to your letter Ref. No. MSWI/SDI/ADM/10/82, dated March 10, 2025, regarding the above subject.
Our subsequent response via letter Ref. No. MICDE/GAA/ADM/1/39 Vol. X (134) had approved the engagement of The Star newspaper, Standard Media Group, and Cape Media for the campaign,” the letter stated.
“However, following administrative advice, the inclusion of Standard Media Group has been revoked. Please proceed with The Star, Cape Media, and Nation Media Group, along with the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC), for the campaign,” it further directed.
Additionally, the letter emphasized that copies of space orders for the selected media houses should be regularly submitted to the Director of the Government Advertising Agency (GAA) to ensure compliance with the directive.
Controversy Surrounding Standard Group
This decision follows weeks of tensions between the government and The Standard Newspaper, which has been publishing bold and critical headlines about senior government officials, including President William Ruto.
One of the most controversial headlines, published on March 2, read: “Cunning Ruto”. The headline caught the attention of the President, who publicly responded the same day while speaking at Jesus Winner Ministry.
“If you read today’s newspaper, the headline says that Ruto is very cunning. I want to tell them that I am not as cunning as they claim. It is by God’s grace that I am here. We believe in God,” Ruto stated.
Other top leaders have also been on the receiving end of the newspaper’s critiques. In the March 9 issue, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and Deputy President Kithure Kindiki were referred to as “Mere Flower Girls,” a term that sparked heated discussions.
Just a day before the government’s latest decision, The Standard also labeled former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, now a key political ally of President Ruto, as a “Greedy Watchdog”, further fueling political debates.
Media Council Reacts to Viral Notice
This move to cut off Standard Group from government advertising comes just hours after the Media Council of Kenya (MCK) addressed a viral notice claiming that the media house had been put on notice over its recent headlines.
The MCK, which regulates media practices in the country, had flagged the notice, but the latest government action raises fresh concerns about press freedom and media-government relations in Kenya.
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