Kenya has a lot of meida houses owned privately apart from the state owned KBC. Many of these media houses are owned by politicians or those with political interests. Some are owned by people who have close relationship with some politicians. We look into some of the politicians who have been linked to some media houses in Kenya.
The Kenyatta family
Mzee Jomo Kenyatta is the first president of Kenya and his name has not been erased from the Kenya books of history to date despite dying some four decades ago. His family is still actively involved in Kenyan politics and businesses pointing out his good and strong foundation he laid. His son Uhuru Kenyatta became Kenya’s fourth president from 2013 to 2022.
In business, the family owns or controls a lot of businesses in the country and one of them is in the field of media. The Media Max limited company, which owns K24 TV, Kameme TV, Kameme FM, Milele FM, Meru FM, Mayian FM, Emoo FM, and People Daily newspaper, is partially owned by the Kenyatta family. They have the biggest stake in the company.
Samuel Kamau Macharia, SK Macharia
Popular as SK Macharia, he has arguably one of the best media house in Kenya right now. He is a big political influencer and a former perliamentary candidate. He owns the Royal Media Services which has over 14 radio stations which transmit in the local dialects and Swahili. RMS also owns Citizen tv which has the best following in the countr, the Inooro tv and the Ramogi tv.
Raila Odinga
The doyen of Kenyan politics as his millions of fans refer to him has been linked to some of the media houses in Kenya though indirectly. He is alleged to have minor stake in the Standard Media Group though these allegations lack substantial evidences. He is also linked to Nam Lolwe fm and Lolwe tv which is under Neutral Broadcaster Limited owned by the late Jakoyo Midiwo who was Raila’s cousin.
The Moi family
Daniel Moi is known to be the Kenyan president who served the longest after being on the throne for 24 years.
The Standard Group Limited, which owns the The Standard newspaper and The Nairobian as well as KTN Home, KTN News, Radio Maisha, is partially owned by the Moi family.
John Mututho and Chirau Ali Makwere
The former Naivasha MP and former Nacada Chairman owns Mururi FM, while Chirau Ali Makwere, a former foreign affairs minister and current high commissioner to Tanzania, owns Kaya FM.
Maria Mbeneka
She is the wife to former Laikipia governor Nderitu Muriithi and a very senior lawyer. She is the chairperson of the Ghetto Radio Foundation.
Purity Ngirici
The former Kirinyaga Woman Rep Purity Ngirici is the newest player in the media industry. She is the owner of Mt. Kenya TV and Iganjo FM. She vied as Kirinyaga governor but lost narrowly to Anne Waiguru.
