Kenya's Government Halts Advertising with Standard Group for hash news headlines

In a letter dated March 14, 2025, ICT Principal Secretary Edward Kisiang'ani revoked prior approvals for campaigns with the Standard Media Group, instructing that future advertising efforts be directed to other media outlets, including The Star, Cape Media, Nation Media Group, and the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC).  

This decision aligns with the government's earlier move to centralize its advertising through a two-year contract with The Star newspaper, which holds a smaller market share compared to competitors like The Nation and The Standard. This shift has raised concerns about media freedom and financial viability within the industry.

The Law Society of Kenya has filed a lawsuit challenging the government's exclusive contract with The Star, arguing that it limits public access to information and contravenes constitutional provisions.

Media stakeholders have expressed alarm over these developments, viewing them as attempts to undermine press freedom and financially destabilize critical media outlets. The Media Council of Kenya and the Kenya Union of Journalists have called for a review of the government's advertising policies to ensure fairness and uphold democratic principles