Standard Group Names Dr Naim Bilal Yaseen CEO Amid Financial and Leadership Pressures

The Standard Group has appointed Dr Naim Bilal Yaseen as its substantive Group Chief Executive Officer, handing him the task of steering the media company through a difficult period marked by financial pressure, leadership changes and the shift towards digital news.

Yaseen will take office on Sunday, November 1, 2026, following a competitive recruitment process, according to a notice issued by the company on Thursday, October 29.

The appointment comes as the Nairobi Securities Exchange-listed media house seeks to improve its commercial performance and strengthen its digital operations.

The board said it expects Yaseen to improve the group’s digital and commercial results while protecting the independence of its journalism.

“The Board is confident that Dr Yaseen will strengthen the Group’s digital and commercial performance and uphold the editorial independence on which public trust in its journalism depends,” the company said.

Appointment follows change in interim leadership

Yaseen’s appointment also settles the question of who will lead the group following the departure of Chaacha Mwita.

Mwita announced his resignation as Group CEO and Executive Director in October, with his departure taking effect on November 1. He had been confirmed as substantive CEO on April 1, 2026, after serving in an acting capacity from July 2025.

The company did not give a reason for his resignation.

In a separate notice issued on October 23, the board had named John Bundotich, the Acting Editor-in-Chief, to serve as acting Group CEO from November 1.

However, the subsequent appointment of Yaseen as substantive CEO supersedes that interim arrangement. He will therefore take charge of the company from the same date Mwita leaves.

The sequence marks another leadership transition at a media house that has experienced changes at the top in recent years. Marion Gathoga-Mwangi left the CEO position in June 2025, paving the way for Mwita to take over in an acting capacity.

Who is Naim Bilal Yaseen?

Yaseen brings more than three decades of experience in media, public service, communication and corporate governance.

He previously served as Managing Director of the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC), where he oversaw the public broadcaster’s operations.

He also worked as Director of Public Affairs and Communication at the Judiciary, handling institutional communication and public engagement.

His career includes senior editorial roles at Nation Media Group, where he worked across newsroom operations.

Yaseen holds a PhD in Communication Studies, a Master’s degree in Communications Policy, a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Laws degree. He is also an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya.

His experience across private media, public broadcasting and government institutions gives him a broad understanding of the different pressures facing media organisations.

Financial performance presents a major test

Beyond the change in leadership, Yaseen inherits a company facing significant financial challenges.

Standard Group’s audited 2024 financial statements reported a group loss after tax of KSh1.1 billion. Revenue fell by about 23 per cent, from KSh2.38 billion in 2023 to KSh1.84 billion in 2024.

The company attributed the decline largely to reduced advertising spending, weaker newspaper sales and changes in audience behaviour.

The pressure continued into the first half of 2025. Revenue dropped to KSh789.2 million, compared with KSh1.05 billion in the same period a year earlier. The group’s loss before tax narrowed to KSh133 million from KSh200.2 million, but it remained in the red.

These are historical figures and do not, on their own, establish the company’s financial position in October 2026. They nevertheless show the scale of the recovery challenge facing its incoming chief executive.

The group has also pursued plans to strengthen its balance sheet and support its digital strategy. In February 2026, however, its board announced the suspension of a previously proposed rights issue, saying it needed more time to review the transaction’s structure, timing and viability.

That leaves the new CEO with a difficult balancing act: improving revenue, managing costs, strengthening the company’s financial position and keeping its journalism competitive as audiences increasingly consume news online.

Board changes add to the leadership reset

Yaseen’s appointment follows changes to the company’s board.

Anthony Ambaka Kegode, Tom Odongo and Elishah Njeru joined as independent non-executive directors, effective October 15, 2026.

Their appointments followed the departure of Edward Mwasi and Dr James McFie, who resigned from the board in August.

The new directors bring experience in areas including corporate leadership, finance, investment management and governance.

The changes come at a time when media companies are under pressure to find sustainable business models as advertising markets shift and digital platforms compete for audiences and revenue.

For Standard Group, the challenge will be to turn its digital ambitions into stronger earnings without weakening the editorial standards on which its reputation depends.

Yaseen takes over on November 1. His immediate task will be to translate the board’s expectations into a credible recovery plan, while restoring confidence among employees, audiences, advertisers and shareholders.

About the Author

Maureen Onyango is a journalist passionate about storytelling, life coaching and spiritual lessons. She studied at the Kenya Institute of Management and enjoys telling stories that inform, inspire and empower communities.