According to official budget documents submitted to Parliament, the department has total pending bills amounting to KSh1.1 billion.
The request was made while Parliament was reviewing the 2025/2026 supplementary budget. Broadcasting and Telecommunications Principal Secretary Stephen Isaboke explained the request to the National Assembly’s Communication, Information, and Innovation Committee.
NMG Leads as Media Houses Claim Largest Share
The documents show that the largest portion of the pending bills is owed to Nation Media Group (NMG), followed by other media companies that provided advertising services under MyGov, the government’s official communication platform.
On the other hand, the government intends to clear KSh228.9 million owed to the Standard Group Plc, while Mediamax Network Limited is poised to receive KSh191.1 million.
Also Read: Rostam Azizi: Billionaire Investor Who is Buying Majority Stake in NMG and His Links to Ruto
Other media houses listed include the Kenya Yearbook Editorial Board, owed KSh19.5 million; The Star Publications Limited, owed KSh941,129; Northeastern Media (Star FM), owed KSh580,000; Bait Television Network, owed KSh1.48 million; and Luxe Republic – SEMA FM, owed KSh255,000.
In total, pending bills related to MyGov advertising services amount to KSh853.3 million, accounting for nearly all the funds being sought in the supplementary budget.
Other Outstanding Service Providers
Apart from media houses, the department has also listed pending bills owed to other service providers.
These include Sarova Stanley Hotel, which will get KSh510,000 for hosting a media briefing breakfast, and Bahari Beach Hotel, which is owed KSh346,800 for providing conference facilities used by the Office of the Government Spokesperson.
Additionally, Petals Hygiene and Sanitation Services is claiming KSh334,658 for cleaning services provided in June 2022.
The request comes as pressure grows on the government to clear pending bills that have strained the operations of private suppliers, particularly media houses that rely heavily on government advertising revenue.
Also Read: Government Releases Sh60 Billion to Clear Pending Bills
Rostam Azizi Gains Control of Nation Media Group
The request came shortly after Nation Media Group (NMG) underwent a change in ownership following the exit of the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development (AKFED).
AKFED announced it is ending its 66‑year investment in the media house after agreeing to sell its entire stake in NPRT Holdings Africa Limited to Tanzania‑based Taarifa Ltd, which is owned by businessman Rostam Azizi.
Under the deal, Taarifa Ltd gains control of NMG through NPRT’s 54.08 per cent shareholding, which is equivalent to 92,618,177 ordinary shares. This gives Azizi a controlling interest in one of East Africa’s most established media companies.
In a statement, AKFED said it had entered into an agreement to sell its 100 per cent shareholding in NPRT Holdings Africa Limited, marking the end of a long partnership with Nation Media Group.
Azizi is a Tanzanian businessman, entrepreneur, and economist with interests across several sectors, including media, telecommunications, mining, agriculture, energy, real estate, and construction.
