Deputy President William Ruto has allegedly taken control of Xtra Publishing Ltd which used to publish Kenya's first evening newspaper, XNews.
According to the Daily Reporter and Business Today, Xtra Publishing's owner Paul Marshall sold his stake in the company to the DP.
It is expected that the take-over will see the launch of a new 42-page national freesheet newspaper, a television station and several radio stations.
The newspaper will be distributed in all 47 counties but will only be available in 7 counties during the pilot phase.
“Piloting of the project is set to start in seven counties that include Nakuru, Mombasa, Nyeri, Kisumu, Kajiado and Uasin Gishu from June 29 to July 2, 2018 and the newspaper will hit the streets countrywide from July 7, 2018,” sources close to the project are quoted by Daily Reporter.
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The company is said to be targeting reputable journalists and media industry players as it recruits senior management and editorial staff including an Editor-in-Chief, Managing Editor, News Editor and other section editors.
Vehicles to be used in distributing the paper across the country have been acquired and are being branded at a local car dealer, the report claims.
Among those whose names have reportedly been floated are former Saturday Nation Managing Editor Tim Wanyonyi, former Star editor Catherine Gicheru, former Daily Nation News Editor Eric Shimoli, Njeri Rugene, Bernard Namunane and many more.
The company also plans to launch a TV station and multiple radio stations.
Former Citizen TV journalist Kisia Wasilwa is said to be in charge of the TV project.
[caption caption="William Ruto"]
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