The Ministry of ICT has cancelled all advertising campaigns with the Standard Group following administrative advice.
In a letter seen by Kenyans.co.ke, Principal Secretary Edward Kisiang'ani excluded the media house from a previously approved list of media outlets selected for an irrigation campaign.
The letter, dated March 14, reversed a decision made on March 10 regarding the National Irrigation Sector Investment Plan (NISIP) campaign.
“Reference is made to your letter Ref. No. MSWI/SDI/ADM/10/82, dated March 10, 2025, on the above subject, and our subsequent response via our letter Ref. No. MICDE/GAA/ADM/1/39 Vol. X (134), which approved the engagement of The Star newspaper, Standard Media Group, and Cape Media for the above campaign,” the letter read in part.
“Please note that, following administrative advice, the inclusion of Standard Media Group has been cancelled. Please proceed to engage The Star, Cape Media, and Nation Media Group for the campaign, alongside the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC),” the letter stated.
Additionally, the letter directed that copies of the space orders for the approved media houses be routinely shared with the Director of the Government Advertising Agency (GAA) to ensure compliance.
Over the past few weeks, the Standard Newspaper has been the subject of controversy over hard-hitting headlines on senior government officials including President William Ruto.
One such headline on March 2 which read "Cunning Ruto" even prompted the President's reaction. While speaking at Jesus Winner Ministry the same day, he hit back at the media house denying the claims.
''If you read today's newspaper, the headline states that Ruto is very cunning. I want to tell them that am not as cunning as they think. This is the grace of God that is leading me. We believe in God,'' Ruto stated.
Other politicians who have suffered a similar fate are Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and Deputy President Kithure Kindiki who were described as "Mere Flower Girls" in the March 9 issue.
Just a day ago, former Prime Minister and President Ruto's newest collaborator Raila Odinga was described as a "Greedy Watchdog" by the paper.
This development comes just a few hours after the Media Council of Kenya (MCK) flagged a viral notice purporting that the Standard Group had been put on notice over the headlines.
