Nation Media Group (NMG) has announced a major realignment of its editorial leadership across East Africa, with prominent journalists Joe Ageyo, James Smart and Ben Kitili among those taking up new responsibilities.
The changes, announced by NMG Group Managing Director and CEO Geoffrey Odundo on Wednesday, September 16, take effect immediately and affect the group's operations in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.
In one of the biggest changes, Dr Joe Ageyo has been appointed Editor-in-Chief of NMG Uganda. Ageyo, a prominent television journalist and senior NMG editorial figure, will oversee the group's editorial operations in Uganda.
Washington Gikunju has simultaneously been appointed Acting Managing Editor of NMG Uganda.
The changes come after a review of NMG's editorial structure and evolving business requirements across the region.
Another major change will see NTV journalist and anchor James Smart take up a senior editorial role in Tanzania. Smart has been appointed Acting Managing Editor, Broadcast and New Media, at Mwananchi Communications Limited, NMG's Tanzanian subsidiary. Smart is a familiar face to NTV viewers, having worked as a news anchor and hosted programmes including With All Due Respect.
His new appointment places him in a broader editorial management role covering broadcast and new media operations in Tanzania.
In Kenya, another familiar NTV face, Ben Kitili, has been appointed Acting Lead Editor, Broadcasting. Kitili has established himself as an NTV journalist and news anchor, featuring prominently in the station's news and current affairs programming. His latest appointment moves him into an editorial leadership position within NMG's broadcasting operations.
The Kenyan newsroom will also see Harry Misiko serve as Acting Editor-in-Chief, Kenya, while Dann Mwangi takes up the position of Acting Managing Editor, Broadcast and New Media.
More senior appointments in Kenya
Other appointments announced by NMG include:
John Kiplagat – Acting Managing Editor, Publishing
Justus Wanga – Acting Lead Editor, Weekend Edition
Michael Owuor – Acting Lead Editor, Daily Nation
Michael Omondi – Acting Lead Editor, Business Daily
Alex Ndegwa – Editor, Content Hub
The appointments take effect immediately.
NMG cites changing business needs
In the memo announcing the changes, Odundo said the realignment followed a review of the group's editorial structure and changing business requirements across the region.
“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," read in part the memo obtained by Vantage Ke.
Odundo congratulated the journalists taking up the new responsibilities and urged colleagues across NMG to support them during the transition.
The reshuffle places several recognisable newsroom figures in new leadership positions across NMG's television, digital, publishing and broadcasting operations, marking a significant change in the group's editorial structure across East Africa.
The editorial changes come amid significant shifts in NMG’s ownership and governance. Earlier this year, the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development agreed to sell its stake in NPRT Holdings Africa Limited, which owns 54.08% of NMG, to Taarifa Ltd, controlled by Tanzanian businessman Rostam Aziz. The deal ended the Aga Khan’s 66-year association with the media group.
In August, NMG appointed six new directors — Juliana Rotich, Bharat Thakrar, Julie Gichuru, Julius Kipng’etich, Wilfred Musau and Georgia Mutagahywa — further reshaping its leadership.
The Uganda appointments also come weeks after NMG resumed operations following a prolonged shutdown. The June-July disruption affected Daily Monitor’s television, radio, newspaper and digital platforms, with hundreds of employees unable to access their workplaces.
The developments place NMG Uganda at a critical juncture as the wider group undergoes simultaneous changes in ownership, board composition and editorial leadership.
