The landscape of Kenya's mass media has evolved over the years to reflect the changes in contemporary technology and policies.
From the era when the country had one state-owned broadcaster, Kenya now has a wide range of television and radio stations broadcasting in various languages. The increase in the number of media outlets is attributable to digitisation and democratisation in the industry- among other factors.
Owing to the changes, investors - including women - have taken the industry by storm setting up some of the media outlets that turned out to be forces to reckon with.
This article lists some of the media stations owned by Kenyan women.
Rose Kimotho - Kayu FM, former Kameme FM manager
It is almost impossible to have a discussion about Kenya's mass media evolution without mentioning the name of Rose Kimotho.
Her name is prominent in the industry owing to her connection to the inception of Kameme FM, which was among the founding blocks of the current Mediamax Company.
Rose Kimotho was involved in the management of Kameme FM for over a decade - during which she steered the radio station into a powerhouse in vernacular radio.
She eventually left the company before launching a new radio station known as Kayu FM in 2022.
Kawira Mwangaza - Mwangaza TV, Baite TV
Besides her engagement in politics, Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza has established herself as a notable player in the mass media industry.
The Meru Governor is the co-owner of Baite TV - a vernacular television station that broadcasts in the Kimeru language.
Shortly after her election, Governor Mwangaza was on record recounting how Baite TV helped her get an edge during the campaign period foregoing the August 2022 polls.
In addition, the governor owns Mwangaza TV, an online television station that specialises in evangelistic content.
Purity Ngirici- Iganjo FM
Former Kirinyaga Woman Representative Purity Ngirici is also a notable player in the mass media industry. She hails from an entrepreneurial family with a wide range of interests in various sectors.
In 2020, Ngirici - alongside her husband, Andrew Ngirici - launched what gave an impression of a media house capable of shaking up Kenya's media airwaves. The duo, through Slopes Media Company, launched Iganjo FM and Mount Kenya TV, to enter the competitive Kikuyu media field.
At inception, both Iganjo and Mount Kenya TV received some of Kenya's big names in vernacular broadcasting as the company looked to establish a new media fortress.
However, the company was affected by the ravaging tough economic times in the media industry which saw some of its crucial staff members leave.
Carol Mandi- True Love Magazine
Carol Mandi is the founder and publisher of True Love Magazine, Drum and Home Living - which are all owned by her company, Carole Mandi Media.
She completed the takeover of the True and Drum magazines in 2010 when she bought the two publications from their previous South African owners.
Eunice Njambi Mathu - Parents Africa
Eunice Njambi is the founder and editor-in-chief of Parents Africa, Kenya's most popular and longest-running print magazine.
Parents magazine is a monthly magazine that specialises in content pertaining to lifestyle, fashion and other categories of soft content.
The magazine is over 44 years old and ranks as one of the most prominent printed works in the history of Kenya's mass media.
