The Standard Media Group is staring at a revocation of their operational licences. In a letter from the Communication Authority of Kenya, dated April 9, Director General David Mugonyi announced the revocation of the licences, citing non-remittance of licence fees and the Universal Service Fund (USF) levy.
The group’s executive editor Chaacha Mwita however said the action is a deliberate attempt by the state to silence the media house because of its extensive coverage of ills in the Kenya Kwanza administration.
“What we publish and carry is the reality of the day. We are not going to back down. We are not going to report things that are not the reality just to make some people happy,” Mwita stated.
“We have audiences and we have the responsibility as a media house to hold the mirror to the society and that is what we are doing. We completely stand firm with our audiences and we tell them that KTN is their destination for news and information. And so is The Standard Newspaper,” he added.
Over the years, the newspaper has adopted a bold style of reporting and some of its hard hitting headlines include;
1.Gold, money deals
This was The Standard’s headline on April 14, 2025 with the subtitle Web of intrigue. In this report, president Ruto is entangled in Sudan’s crisis after Sudan’s warlords met in Kenya.
2. President’s Gupta?
On April 12, 2025, Standard featured Businessman Narendra Reval over his association with president William Ruto.
“Narendra Raval has been thrust into the deep end of politics over his ties with President William Ruto. He admits the president is his friend but denies doing business with the government. He however bagged the contentious fertiliser tender and managed to influence decision to impose tax on clinker imports, raising the question: Is he using his influence to skew business deals on his behalf and those of his friends in high places, including the president,” the publication reads.
3. Echoes of oppression
This story came in the wake of the drama that was witnessed in Nakuru during the National Drama and Film festivals, after Butere Girl’s play Echoes of war was not staged.
“Echoes of war was not staged at the national drama festival in Nakuru. It was muzzled and muted by government and instead participants were teargassed in what brought back the memories of assaulting children in the apartheid South Africa in 1976. It begs the question what is it that the government is so afraid of that it has to fight the harmless children?” the newspaper said.
4. House of deals
In this report dated on April 10, 2025, The Standard stated that the Statehouse had widely become a hub for questionable multi-billion deals.
“State House, the seat of government in Kenya, is, according to critics, increasingly becoming a citadel of multi-billion shilling questionable deals and a paradise for brokers and wheeler-dealers,” the publication revealed.
5. Statehouse rogues
This report on April 9, 2025 focused on Dennis Itumbi and Farouk Kibet stating that they had become inseparable from the president. This came in the wake of Gachagua’s interview, who said that the two are not just Ruto’s aides but something more sinister.
The newspaper titled Itumbi as the Chief Propagandist while Farouk as the co-president from Gachagua’s revelations.
6. Budget betrayal
With Treasury CS John Mbadi on the cover, this story dated April 7, 2025, focused on the budget. The newspaper noted that the regime is hell-bent on demanding more from taxpayers, even when such an action last year cost young lives during protests.
7. Lying President?
On April 2, 2025, The Standard came up with the story after Ruto’s remarks ahead of his tour to central Kenya were disputed. This trip came just months after sending Rigathi Gachagua packing as his deputy.
Ruto was labelled a liar after claiming that Kenya was exporting tea to Sudan and that he mentored Ndindi Nyoro.
8. Thoughtless expert?
This headline on March 30 was in reference to John Mbadi after he suggested that those who loot taxpayers’ money should invest in the country instead of transferring the money to foreign accounts. Mbadi was highly criticised over his remarks.
9. Intimidating Kenyans
These story captured the remarks from Chief of Defence Forces Charles Kahariri and NIS boss Noordin Haji who issued a warning over the Ruto must go slogan.
10. Below average CS
Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen was covered on the top page of the publication on March 26, 2025. The report stated that he is known for a flashy lifestyle rather than efforts to combat insecurity in the country.
Other troublesome headlines from the standard include; Mr ‘yes sir’ DP(Kithure Kindiki), Garbage governor(Jonson Sakaja), Cluelss Health CS(Deborah Mulongo), Mere flower girls(Kindiki and Musalia Muadavadi), Pulpit arrogance(Ruto’s contributions to churches), Greedy watchdog(in reference to the newly found union between Raila and Ruto).
