The Standard Group PLC has appointed Dr Naim Bilal Yaseen as its Group Chief Executive Officer, effective 1st November 2026, the company announced on 29 October, 2026.
The Board of Directors said the appointment followed a competitive recruitment process. The decision supersedes an earlier arrangement under which John Bundotich, Acting Editor-in-Chief, was to assume the acting role from the same date, said Company Secretary Catherine Kawira.
Yaseen replaces Chaacha Mwita, who will step down as Group CEO and Executive Director effective 1st November. Mwita was appointed substantive Group CEO on 1st April 2026, having served as Acting CEO from 1st July 2025, following the departure of Marion Gathoga-Mwangi.
The company has not given reasons for Mwita’s departure, which comes less than eight months after his appointment to the substantive role.
Yaseen has more than three decades of leadership experience in the media, public and corporate sectors. He previously served as Managing Director of the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation and Director of Public Affairs and Communication at the Judiciary.
He also held senior editorial and management positions at Nation Media Group. In addition, he served as Acting Director of Information and contributed to the first phase of the Judiciary Transformation Framework.
Yaseen holds a PhD in Communication Studies, a Master of Arts in Communications Policy, a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Laws degree. He is an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya.
“Yaseen will help drive the Group’s digital and business agenda and ensure editorial independence remains at the core of our journalism,” the Board said in its statement.
The Standard Group publishes The Standard and The Nairobian newspapers. It also owns KTN, Radio Maisha, Spice FM and other platforms.
The appointment comes amid changes to the board. Three new Independent Non-Executive Directors — Anthony Ambaka Kegode, Tom Odongo and Elishah Njeru — joined the board effective 15th October. Edward Mwasi and Dr James McFie resigned from their non-executive director positions at the end of August.
Like many media houses, the Standard Group faces challenges including declining print circulation, rising costs, weaker advertising revenues and disruption from digital technologies and artificial intelligence.
Yaseen takes over at a time when the company is seeking to accelerate its business and digital transformation.
