Nation Media Group (NMG) has responded to concerns about the representation of women in its senior editorial leadership after a regional restructuring affected top newsroom positions in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.
NMG Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Geoffrey Odundo acknowledged the concerns raised following the latest appointments in a public statement dated September 18.
“Nation Media Group (NMG) has taken note of the public conversation following the recent changes to our editorial leadership across East Africa, including concerns regarding the representation of women among the appointments announced,” Geoffrey Odundo stated.
Further, Odundo outlined the current representation of women across the organization.
The response came two days after NMG announced changes that saw several senior editors take up new roles across its regional operations on September 16.
Following the appointment, the Association of Media Women in Kenya (AMWIK) raised concerns on September 17, calling for stronger pathways for qualified women to reach senior leadership positions.
“AMWIK recognizes NMG’s historic role in nurturing the careers of numerous women journalists, including many of our distinguished members. Trailblazers such as Pamella Sittoni, Wayua Muli, Catherine Gicheru, Dorothy Kweyu, and Lucy Oriang, among others. While we appreciate NMG’s strategic efforts to realign its editorial department for an evolving digital environment, AMWIK expresses deep concern over the underrepresentation of women in senior editorial leadership roles following these updates,” AMWIK statement dated September 17 read.
NMG Public Editor Pamella Sittoni also addressed the concerns in an article published on September 18, referencing the newly announced top editorial leadership team of 11 men, with no women or young people among the appointees.
NMG Gives Gender Representation Figures
According to the CEO, women currently account for 38 percent of its overall workforce and 33 percent of its newsroom.
The company further said women make up 42 percent of its Executive Committee and 41 percent of its Heads of Department.
Despite having representation in the company, Odundo emphasized that the number of women in the company currently has a 40% representation target.
“Women currently constitute 36% of our overall workforce, 33% of our newsroom, 42% of our Executive Committee and 41% of Heads of Departments, against our 40% representation target,” Odundo noted.
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New Editorial Structure
The September 16 changes placed senior editors in new roles across NMG’s operations.
Group Editor-in-Chief Joe Ageyo was moved to Uganda, where he became Editor-in-Chief of NMG Uganda.
Further, Harry Misiko was appointed Acting Editor-in-Chief in Kenya, taking responsibility for newsroom operations.
James Smart was also appointed Acting Managing Editor, Broadcast and New Media, at Mwananchi Communications Limited in Tanzania.
Washington Gikunju moved to Uganda as Acting Managing Editor, while Dann Mwangi took over as Acting Managing Editor for Broadcast and New Media in Kenya.
John Kiplagat was appointed Acting Managing Editor, Publishing.
Other appointments included Michael Owuor as Acting Lead Editor, Daily Nation; Justus Wanga as Acting Lead Editor, Weekend Edition; Ben Kitili as Acting Lead Editor, Broadcasting; Michael Omondi as Acting Lead Editor, Business Daily; and Alex Ndegwa as editor in charge of content hubs in Kenya.
Earlier Restructuring
The latest appointments followed another round of newsroom changes announced on September 2, introducing Victor Mushi as an Executive Editor for Digital Innovation.
In addition, the company also changed several editorial functions, including renaming the Managing Editor, Production position to Managing Editor, Broadcast and New Media.
The group created a Climate and Young Audiences editorial hub and introduced the Managing Editor, Publishing position to oversee publishing workflows across print and digital platforms.
Ownership Changes
NMG’s ownership had earlier undergone major changes as Taarifa Ltd completed the acquisition of the controlling stake previously held through NPRT Holdings Africa Limited on August 31, 2026.
Following the transaction, indirect control of 54.08 percent of NMG, equivalent to 92,618,177 ordinary shares, transferred from the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development (AKFED).
The transaction ended AKFED’s more than six-decade association with NMG, which began in 1959.
During the ownership transition, NMG’s board announced that six new directors would join the company.
The new board members included Julie Gichuru, Julius Kipng’etich, Juliana Rotich, Bharat Thakrar, Wilfred Musau and Georgia Mutaghywa.
Also Read:Â Wilfred Musau: Serial Banker Who Has Worked for 5 Kenyan Banks and Now Joins NMG
NMG’s Financial Position
The editorial changes are also taking place as NMG works to strengthen its digital business amid financial pressure.
For the six months ended June 30, 2026, NMG reported turnover of KSh2.85 billion, down from KSh2.99 billion in the same period in 2025.
The company reported a loss before income tax of KSh440.8 million, compared with KSh48.7 million in the first half of 2025.
Loss after tax stood at KSh357.2 million, compared with KSh41.7 million a year earlier.
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