The Standard Group PLC has appointed Dr Naim Bilal Yaseen, a former managing director of the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC), as its Group Chief Executive Officer, handing one of Kenya's oldest media houses a new leader at a difficult time for the industry.

The Nairobi Securities Exchange-listed company announced the appointment on Thursday, October 29, in a statement signed by Company Secretary Catherine Kawira. The board said Dr Yaseen was picked after a competitive recruitment process and will take office on Sunday, November 1, 2026.

Who is the new CEO

Dr Yaseen brings more than three decades of experience across media, public institutions and corporate governance. Besides leading KBC, he served as Director of Public Affairs and Communication at the Judiciary, where he helped roll out the first phase of the Judiciary Transformation Framework, and was once Kenya's Acting Director of Information.

He has also held senior editorial roles at Nation Media Group, including managing editor across print and broadcast.

His qualifications include a PhD in Communication Studies, a master's degree in Communications Policy, an MBA and a Bachelor of Laws degree. He is an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya.

In its statement, the board said it was confident Dr Yaseen "will strengthen the Group's digital and commercial performance", and that he would "uphold the editorial independence on which public trust in its journalism depends".

Leadership shake-up

The appointment follows the resignation of Chaacha Mwita, who stepped down earlier in October about seven months after being confirmed as substantive Group CEO in April 2026. Mwita had first led the company in an acting capacity from July 2025. The company did not give reasons for his departure.

The change at the top is part of a wider reshuffle of the board. Three independent non-executive directors, Anthony Ambaka Kegode, Tom Odongo and Elishah Njeru, joined on October 15, while non-executive directors Edward Mwasi and Dr James McFie resigned in August.

Tough market for media

Dr Yaseen takes charge as Kenyan media companies grapple with falling newspaper sales, rising operating costs and a sharp drop in corporate advertising, as audiences and advertisers move to digital platforms. Artificial intelligence tools are also changing how news is produced and consumed, adding pressure on traditional revenue models.

The Standard Group, which publishes The Standard newspaper and runs KTN and Radio Maisha among other brands, has in recent years cut costs and pushed to grow digital revenue. The new chief executive is expected to set out his priorities after taking office next week.

Photos: Kenyans.co.ke (Standard Group Centre); The Standard (Dr Naim Bilal Yaseen). Thumbnail design: HAMASTA MEDIA.