NMG editorial shake-up puts men in top roles as Ageyo moves to Uganda

Nation Media Group (NMG) has announced a major restructuring of its editorial leadership across East Africa, with men taking all 12 senior positions announced in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.

The changes also see Joe Ageyo, who has served as NMG's Editor-in-Chief since 2023, move to Uganda as Editor-in-Chief of the group's operations there.

NMG says the changes follow a review of its editorial structure and evolving business requirements and take effect immediately.

In Kenya, Harry Misiko has been appointed Acting Editor-in-Chief, while Dann Mwangi becomes Acting Managing Editor for Broadcast and New Media.

John Kiplagat takes over as Acting Managing Editor, Publishing, while Justus Wanga becomes Acting Lead Editor for the Weekend Edition.

Michael Owuor has been named Acting Lead Editor of the Daily Nation, Ben Kitili Acting Lead Editor for Broadcasting, Michael Omondi Acting Lead Editor at Business Daily and Alex Ndegwa Editor of the Content Hub.

The appointments leave women absent from the senior editorial positions announced in the latest restructuring.

That does not necessarily reflect the gender composition of NMG's wider editorial workforce or management, but it raises questions about representation at the highest levels of newsroom decision-making.

NMG's announcement did not address the gender balance of the appointments.

What does Ageyo's move mean?

Ageyo's transfer to Uganda is another significant element of the changes.

He joined NMG as Editor-in-Chief in 2023, a position that gave him a group-level editorial role. Under the new structure, his title remains Editor-in-Chief but is specifically attached to NMG Uganda.

On paper, that represents a narrower geographical remit. But there is insufficient public information to describe the change definitively as a demotion.

NMG has not called it one, and details including Ageyo's corporate grade, remuneration, reporting lines and decision-making authority have not been disclosed.

There is also another possible interpretation.

NMG's Uganda operation has recently faced significant challenges. Ugandan authorities shut down the Daily Monitor and other NMG operations in June before allowing them to reopen in July following talks with management.

Sending one of the group's most experienced editors to Kampala could therefore represent an attempt to strengthen a strategically important operation.

Elsewhere, James Smart has been appointed Acting Managing Editor for Broadcast and New Media at Mwananchi Communications Limited in Tanzania, while Washington Gikunju becomes Acting Managing Editor in Uganda.

The latest changes follow an earlier restructuring of NMG's editorial operations as the company pushes towards a more digital and audience-focused newsroom model.

For NMG, the restructuring marks a significant redistribution of editorial leadership across the region.

It also leaves two questions likely to attract attention within the media industry: why no women feature among the senior appointments announced, and whether Ageyo's move to Uganda represents a reduced role or a strategic regional assignment.

About the Author

Angel Wairimu is a media specialist and Communication and Multimedia graduate with a passion for digital media and content creation. Her areas of interest include scriptwriting, voice-over, content production, anchoring, videography and graphic design. She is passionate about using her creative skills to tell engaging stories while continuously learning and growing in the media industry. Email: angelicawairimumaina@gmail.com LinkedIn: Angel Wairimu