NMG Announces Editorial Leadership Changes in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania

Nation Media Group (NMG) has announced changes to its editorial leadership structure in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.

In a memo on Wednesday, September 16, NMG Group Managing Director and CEO Geoffrey Odundo said the appointments take effect immediately.

"Following a review of the Group’s editorial structure and evolving business requirements across the region, we wish to inform you of the following changes, effective immediately," the memo read.

In Uganda, Joe Ageyo has been appointed Editor-in-Chief of NMG Uganda, while Washington Gikunju will serve as Acting Managing Editor of NMG Uganda.

The changes also affect NMG’s operations in Tanzania, where James Smart has been appointed Acting Managing Editor, Broadcast and New Media, at Mwananchi Communications Limited.

In Kenya, Harry Misiko will take up the role of Acting Editor-in-Chief, while Dann Mwangi will serve as Acting Managing Editor, Broadcast and New Media.

John Kiplagat has been appointed Acting Managing Editor, Publishing, while Justus Wanga will serve as Acting Lead Editor, Weekend Edition.

Michael Owuor has been appointed Acting Lead Editor, Daily Nation, with Ben Kitili taking up the position of Acting Lead Editor, Broadcasting.

Michael Omondi will serve as Acting Lead Editor, Business Daily, while Alex Ndegwa has been appointed Editor, Content Hub.

Odundo congratulated the journalists taking up the new responsibilities and called on colleagues across the Group to support them during the transition.

"We congratulate all our colleagues and ask everyone to accord them the necessary support as they transition into their respective roles," the memo added.

This comes weeks after NMG announced changes to its Board of Directors, appointing six new members as four directors stepped down.

In a statement on Friday, August 28, NMG Group Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Joe Muganda announced the appointment of Julie Gichuru, Julius Kangogo Kipng’etich, Juliana Rotich, Georgia Mutagahywa, Bharat Thakrar and Wilfred Musau to the board.

The appointees were drawn from different professional fields. 

Rotich was a Kenyan technology entrepreneur, computer scientist and co-founder of Ushahidi, a non-profit technology organisation that developed open-source software for collecting, mapping and sharing information during crises and humanitarian emergencies.

She served as Ushahidi's Executive Director for about five years before transitioning from the role in 2015.

Thakrar was an advertising and marketing communications executive who founded Scanad, which became part of WPP-Scangroup. 

He previously served as the company's chief executive.

Musau was a banking executive who previously served as Managing Director and CEO of National Bank of Kenya. He also held senior positions at KCB, NIC Bank, Barclays Bank and Standard Chartered.

Gichuru was a media and communications professional with extensive experience in television, radio, print and digital media. 

She also held senior communications roles, including at the Mastercard Foundation.

Kipng’etich was a senior corporate executive who had held leadership positions in both the public and private sectors. 

He previously served as CEO of Kenya Wildlife Service and Uchumi and was then serving as Group CEO of Jubilee Holdings.

Mutagahywa was a Tanzanian corporate affairs and communications executive with experience in telecommunications, manufacturing, technology and mining. 

She had held senior positions at Vodacom Tanzania, Tanzania Breweries, AB InBev and Barrick, where she served as Tanzania Country Manager. 

Mutagahywa had also served on the board of Tanzania's Universal Communications Service Access Fund (UCSAF).

Muganda said the new directors brought a strong combination of experience across media, communications, technology, digital transformation, financial services, corporate leadership, governance, marketing and stakeholder engagement.

"Their diverse perspectives and experience across East Africa and beyond will strengthen the Board as Nation Media Group continues to evolve and respond to the opportunities and challenges shaping our industry," he said.