Standard Group

Standard Group

http://www.standardmedia.co.ke
https://www.linkedin.com/company/standard-group-plc/

Standard Group is a Publicly Owned multi-media enterprise headquartered in Kenya. Founded in 1902, the company employs approximately 680 individuals and reported $13.7M in revenue as of 2024. Functioning as a tier 3 media tech buyer, the company's main product is broadcast television and radio. It operates across print, television, radio, digital, and outdoor advertising sectors, financed through business-to-business corporate advertising, commercial circulation, and digital subscriptions, serving a nationwide consumer footprint. Its media portfolio includes two print publications, The Standard Newspaper and The Nairobian weekly; a multi-channel television broadcasting arm headlined by KTN; four commercial radio frequencies, led by Radio Maisha; and an integrated digital media division managing various news portals, electronic papers, and targeted lifestyle platforms.

2024 Revenue

Founded

1902

Headcount

679

Headquarters

Kenya

Primary Segment

Broadcast television and radio

Ownership

Publicly Owned

News Summary:

Standard Group PLC secured exclusive radio broadcast rights for the 2026/27 English Premier League (EPL) season, establishing its position as a key sports radio broadcaster. Earlier on August 15, the company's Radio Maisha went off air for one hour, between 2 pm and 3 pm, for scheduled maintenance works. This followed President William Ruto's public criticism of the Standard Media Group on July 6, which prompted a national conversation about media sustainability and the group's critical coverage of his administration. Previously, on July 2, Standard Group invited businesses and individual buyers to a public tender to dispose of surplus materials, including office equipment and vehicles, on an “as is where is” basis. The group has also been part of discussions concerning the government's alleged outstanding financial obligations to the media house, as noted in a June 27 article.

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Standard Group offers 14 products in the media and telecoms services industry. Standard Group's product portfolio comprises of broadcast television and radio, media and TV services, search, social, and retail media and other media.

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Standard Group's revenues were $13.7M in 2024. Caretta Research has split Standard Group's revenue into 9 different product categories, the largest of which is thematic channel advertising, which represents 35% of Standard Group's revenue.

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Aug

27th

2026

19:25

Sports Rights Updates

Standard Group takes radio commentary to the next level

As the English Premier League (EPL) enters the second round after the World Cup extravaganza, The Standard Group PLC remains the home of sports, having secured the exclusive radio broadcast rights for the 2026/27 EPL season.

The Standard Kenya

Aug

15th

2026

06:48

Why Standard Group's Radio Maisha Will Be Off Air for 1 Hour

Radio Maisha, one of Standard Group's broadcast products, has notified its listeners of a planned off-air maintenance later Saturday, August 15. The radio announced that its FM frequency will go off air for one hour between 2 and 3 pm during which technicians will be carrying out the scheduled maintenance works.

Jul

6th

2026

01:00

President Ruto, Standard and uncomfortable truth about media sustainability – Media Observer newsletter

By Jackson Karanja President William Ruto’s recent public criticism of the Standard Media Group has triggered a national conversation that goes far beyond politics, media rivalry, or social media exchanges. At face value, the President’s tweets appeared to be a direct attack on a media house whose coverage he considers persistently critical of his administration.

Mediaobserver (co.ke)

Jul

2nd

2026

04:23

Standard Group Selling Off Office Chairs, Scrap Metals and Used Vehicles

The Standard Group PLC has invited businesses, recycling firms, and individual buyers to participate in a public tender the dispose of office equipment, vehicles, and other surplus materials. In a tender notice dated July 2, the company directed that the tendering exercise will be conducted on an “as is, where is” basis.

The Kenya Times

Jun

27th

2026

01:00

Insults currency: State should just pay what it owes to The Standard

“A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.” Proverbs 22:1. Kenya had a Bill. The Bill had a bill and the bill was paid in insults.

The Standard Kenya

Jun

25th

2026

05:16

Management Changes, Layoffs, B2B Tag

Ruto Questions Standard Group Owner Over Unpaid Employees Salaries

President William Ruto has criticized the ownership of The Standard Group over allegations that employees have gone for months without pay. The Standard Group, a listed media company is owned by the family of Kenya’s second president the late Daniel arap Moi.

The Kenya Times

Jun

25th

2026

05:13

Standard Group defends editorial independence after President Ruto's criticism

By DMS A public dispute has erupted between President William Ruto and The Standard Group after the President accused the media house of using its coverage to advance what he termed as “extortionist propaganda,” prompting a strong response from one of Kenya’s oldest media organizations.

Mountkenyatimes (co.ke)

Jun

25th

2026

03:57

Ruto Renews Attack on Gideon Moi Over Unpaid Salaries at Standard Group

President William Ruto has launched a new attack on KANU Chairman Gideon Moi over the unpaid salaries of employees at the Standard Group. In a statement on Thursday, June 25, President Ruto criticized Moi for failing to ensure Standard Group employees are paid despite his immense personal wealth.

Jun

25th

2026

02:50

We Will Not Cheer Any Failure - Standard Group CEO Fires Back at Ruto

The Standard Group PLC has responded to President William Ruto after the Head of State published a post on X that directly referenced the media house and criticized its journalism. In a statement on Wednesday, June 24, Standard Group CEO Chaacha Mwita defended its editorial independence and rejected claims made by Ruto.

Jun

25th

2026

00:44

The Standard Fires Back at President Ruto Over Gideon Moi-Related Blackmail Accusations The Standard Fires Back at President Ruto Over Gideon Moi-Related Blackmail Accusations

The Standard Group PLC has strongly responded to President William Ruto following a social media post in which the Head of State accused the media house of running what he described as “extortionist propaganda” against his administration.

Jun

24th

2026

06:13

Furious Ruto Lashes Out at Gideon Moi Over Repeated ‘Blackmail, Extortionist’ Headlines on The Standard and KTN

NAIROBI, Kenya — In a rare and fiery social media broadside, President William Ruto on Tuesday accused former Baringo Senator and KANU Chairman Gideon Moi of orchestrating a sustained campaign of “extortionist propaganda” through The Standard Media Group’s newspapers and KTN television stations.

Jun

24th

2026

01:00

The Standard stands for bold, responsible and accountable journalism

The Standard Group PLC finds it impossible to ignore the post published by President William Ruto on X, in which he directly referenced the Group. Ordinarily, we would not want to respond to statements attributed to the Presidency as we hold it in high regard.

The Standard Kenya

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Standard Group currently holds 2 broadcasting rights for sports competitions including multi-sport and winter sports.

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