Government cancels advertisements to Standard Media Group

The Ministry of ICT, Innovations, and Youth Affairs has excluded Standard Media Group from the media campaign for the launch of the National Irrigation Sector Investment Plan (NISIP).

In a letter dated Friday, March 14, the State Department of Broadcasting and Telecommunications directed that the campaign should instead be handled by The Star, Cape Media, and Nation Media Group, alongside the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC).

“Please note that following administrative advice, the inclusion of the Standard Media Group has been cancelled,” the letter signed by Michael Okidi on behalf of Broadcasting and Telecommunications PS Edward Kisiang’ani read in part.

The directive was issued in response to an earlier request from the State Department for Irrigation regarding media engagements for the campaign.

Initially, Standard Media Group appeared to be among the approved media houses, but it has since been removed from the list.

“Please proceed to engage The Star, Cape Media and Nation Media Group for the campaign, beside the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC),” the letter added.

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Additionally, the letter advises that signed copies of space orders with the selected media houses be shared with the Director of the Government Advertising Agency (GAA).

“You may share copies of the space orders, signed with the above media houses, with the Director, Government Advertising Agency (GAA) for routine monitoring of compliance with public sector advertising guidelines,” the letter concluded.

While no explanation of the cancellation was provided, the Standard Media Group has in recent months published a series of headlines perceived as critical of the government.

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