From The Rio Times · Amina Diarra · · 3m
Who Owns Kenya's Media?
Kenya's media landscape shifts as Nation Media Group sells to Tanzanian owner ahead of 2027 election.
In brief
Kenya's media landscape shifts as Nation Media Group sells to Tanzanian owner ahead of 2027 election. Nation Media Group sold its 54.08% stake to Tanzanian businessman Rostam Azizi ahead of Kenya's August 2027 election. Originally reported by The Rio Times.
Key Facts
As of October 2026, Kenya has more than 100 radio stations, nearly 50 TV channels and four daily newspapers.
Why it matters
Kenya votes in a general election in August 2027, and the owners, regulators and courts that shape the news will decide how freely voters, investors and Washington can follow the race.
The numbers
Kenya ranks 106th of 180 countries in the 2026 World Press Freedom Index, had 88.0 million mobile SIM subscriptions in June 2026, and Nation Media Group earned about US$46.6 million in 2025 revenue.
Who is who
Nation Media Group, whose 54.08% owner agreed in March 2026 to sell to Tanzanian businessman Rostam Azizi, owns Daily Nation and NTV, Royal Media Services runs Citizen TV, the Communications Authority licenses broadcasters, and the…
What to watch
Watch the August 2027 campaign, the police inquiry into the September 2026 abduction of a Standard Group editor, and any appeal against court rulings that quashed a live-coverage ban and website-blocking powers.
Media at a Glance
Reporters Without Borders ranks Kenya 106th of 180 countries in its 2026 World Press Freedom Index, up from 117th in 2025.
Newspapers and Their Owners
Nation Media Group publishes the Daily Nation, the Kiswahili daily Taifa Leo, Business Daily and The EastAfrican.
Television and Radio Broadcasters
The Kenya Broadcasting Corporation is a state corporation set up by an Act of Parliament, its public mandate covers English, Kiswahili and other languages, with radio services such as Radio Taifa, an English Service and…
Digital Outlets and Online Audiences
NMG says its digital footprint grew to 64.7 million users in 2025 from 62.5 million in 2024, and digital revenue rose 5%.
Who Owns Kenya Media
On Tuesday, 10 March 2026, the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development agreed to sell its Nation Media Group holding company to Taarifa Ltd, owned by Tanzanian businessman Rostam Azizi.
Who Regulates the Media
The Communications Authority of Kenya is the regulatory authority for the information and communications sector, its director general is David Mugonyi, and the Media Council of Kenya accredits journalists and sets media standards.
Press Freedom and the Courts
RSF ranks Kenya 106th of 180 countries in 2026 with a score of 50.51, up from 117th and 49.41 in 2025.
The Cybercrimes Act and Online Speech
The Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act of 2018 is the main law used against online speech, with Section 23 punishing knowingly publishing false information that causes panic, chaos or violence, up to ten years in…
Social Media and the Phone Boom
The CA counted 87,999,998 mobile SIM subscriptions and 54,925,257 mobile broadband subscriptions at 30 June 2026.
What It Means for US Readers
Investors in Meta and Alphabet should note that a Kenyan court voided a power to block sites without court approval.
What Is Not Known
Audited circulation and audience figures for most Kenyan newspapers, channels and sites are not published in one reliable public source.
What it means
Nation Media Group sold its 54.08% stake to Tanzanian businessman Rostam Azizi ahead of Kenya's August 2027 election.
