KEOwnership & classification
Founded: 1902
Ownership
The Standard is Kenya's oldest newspaper, founded in 1902 as the African Standard by Indian-born businessman Alibhai Mulla Jeevanjee. It is published by the Standard Group, which was bought by British conglomerate Lonrho and then sold in 1995 to Kenyan investors associated with then-President Daniel arap Moi. The Moi family and close associates (including the Kulei family) reportedly control over 90% of Standard Group, whose interests also include KTN television and Radio Maisha; family scion Gideon Moi (Baringo politician and Kanu party leader) is the central figure behind the controlling stake.
Funding
The Standard is funded through newspaper sales, advertising and its wider broadcast operations under Standard Group; it has faced well-documented financial strain in recent years. It is privately financed by its owners with no state or licence-fee support.
Affiliation & stance
Although commercially run, The Standard is controlled by the politically powerful Moi family, whose patriarch was a long-serving head of state and whose heir Gideon Moi leads the Kanu party, giving the paper an owner with direct partisan interests. That concentration of control in a political dynasty is why it is best classified DEPENDENT rather than fully independent, consistent with the site's DEPENDENT / CENTER guess.
Editorial lean
- Our estimate
- Center
- Measured from coverage
- Centerbased on 57
80/100
Factual
74/100
Objective
67
Articles
67
reports
Top stories
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Recent coverage
Ndindi Nyoro to William Ruto: I regret supporting you
Ndindi Nyoro, a member of parliament representing Kiharu, has expressed regret over his support for President William Ruto during the 2022 general election. Although Nyoro has publicly stated that he has abandoned Ruto's United Democratic Alliance Party, he acknowledged his regret regarding his backing of the current Kenya Kwanza administration. This statement comes amid ongoing political dynamics in Kenya, where alliances and shifts in political support are significant factors. Nyoro's comments reflect personal reflections on his past political choices and their implications within the broader political landscape.
Fatal police shooting alone does not amount to torture, Supreme Court rules - the-star.co.ke
The Kenyan Supreme Court has ruled that a fatal police shooting by itself does not constitute torture. This decision comes amid ongoing discussions about police conduct and human rights in Kenya. The ruling suggests that additional factors beyond the act of shooting must be considered to classify an incident as torture. The court's interpretation may influence future legal proceedings involving police actions and victim rights. This case highlights the complexities surrounding the definition and application of international human rights standards within national legal frameworks.
'Thoughtless' Fikirini Jacobs faces resignation pressure after fatal shooting
Fikirini Jacobs, the Youth Affairs and Creative Economy Principal Secretary in Kenya, has faced growing pressure to resign following the fatal shooting of Cecil Ouma, a youth mobilizer. Ouma died on Tuesday evening after being taken to Park Road Nursing Home following the incident in Nairobi's Kariokor area, where Jacobs had led a youth empowerment program. The shooting has sparked controversy, with calls for Jacobs' resignation due to concerns over his leadership and potential involvement. The incident highlights ongoing tensions around youth engagement and safety in Kenya.
55 more Kenyans return home from South Africa amid xenophobic attacks
Fifty-five Kenyan nationals returned to Kenya from South Africa after facing fears of xenophobic attacks targeting foreign nationals. The returnees, including Nelly Ochieng', described abandoning their livelihoods and properties due to escalating hostility and threats. Ochieng' noted that the current wave of anti-foreigner sentiment is more severe than previous incidents like the 2015 xenophobic attacks, citing concerns over job competition, undocumented migration, and perceived corruption in immigration systems. He expressed relief at returning home safely, though he faced significant personal losses. South Africa has a history of xenophobic violence, with major incidents occurring in 2015 and 2019, leading to deaths and displacement. The Kenya diaspora in South Africa praised the repatriation efforts.
Fear Over Facts? How Kenya's health messaging fuels public panic
The article discusses Kenya's history of using fear-based public health messaging, starting with the 1990s HIV/AIDS campaigns led by former Information Minister Raphael Tuju. These campaigns used graphic imagery to shock audiences into behavioral changes but sparked debates over their effectiveness and impact on stigma. The piece highlights how Kenya continues to rely on fear, secrecy, and crisis management in its public health communications, contrasting this with successful approaches seen during the 2014 Ebola outbreak in West Africa, where community engagement and trust-building proved more effective. The article critiques Kenya's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, noting the frequent use of fear-driven messaging by officials like Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe, which prioritized urgency and compliance over dialogue and trust-building.
PS Omollo denies abductions as families search for missing kin
Residents of Mathare in Nairobi are protesting to demand the release of two men, Maxwell Kiarie and Abdulaziz Molu, who were abducted under unclear circumstances on June 30, 2026. Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo has denied claims of recent abductions, stating that such incidents only occurred during the previous regime and not under President Ruto's administration. The situation highlights ongoing concerns about security and disappearances in the region, despite official denials. Families continue to search for their missing relatives while local communities express frustration over the lack of progress.
Inside NTSA's move to take instant traffic fine payments off eCitizen
The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) in Kenya has announced that it will stop processing instant traffic fine payments through the eCitizen platform, citing concerns over rising fraud targeting motorists. Instead, the agency will require drivers to make payments via bank deposits. In a statement released on July 1, NTSA acknowledged that eCitizen remains secure and continues to support other government services but emphasized the need to address fraudulent activities related to traffic fines. The change aims to improve security and reduce financial losses associated with fake transactions. The decision reflects ongoing efforts by Kenyan authorities to enhance transparency and accountability in public service delivery.
High Court orders Ruto to reconstitute Cabinet within 120 days over gender rule - the-star.co.ke
The Kenyan High Court has ordered President William Ruto to reconstitute his Cabinet within 120 days due to non-compliance with a constitutional requirement mandating at least 30% representation of women in the Cabinet. The ruling highlights the importance of gender equality in governance and underscores the legal obligations placed on the executive branch to ensure inclusivity in leadership positions. This decision comes amid ongoing discussions about the implementation of affirmative action policies in Kenya. The court emphasized that failure to meet this quota would result in further legal action, reinforcing the judiciary’s role in upholding constitutional mandates.
WhatsApp to let users connect using usernames instead of phone numbers - the-star.co.ke
The article reports that WhatsApp is planning to allow users to connect using usernames instead of phone numbers. This change aims to enhance user privacy by reducing the need to share personal contact information. Users will still be able to log in with their phone numbers, but the option to use a username will provide greater anonymity. The update is part of WhatsApp's ongoing efforts to improve security and user experience. While the feature is expected to roll out gradually, specific timelines have not been announced.
Construction authority cracks down on rogue developers
The National Construction Authority (NCA) in Kenya has intensified efforts to crack down on unauthorized construction practices, particularly the addition of extra floors to approved buildings without proper structural assessments. At a recent forum, NCA officials highlighted concerns over unsafe buildings, citing data showing that over 70% of inspected structures are either unsafe or very dangerous. This follows incidents like the collapse of a 16-story building in Nairobi earlier this year, which resulted in multiple fatalities. The NCA warns that violators could face legal action, including deregistration, and emphasizes the risks posed by poor workmanship, unqualified contractors, and substandard materials. These issues have led to significant loss of life and economic damage over the years.
'Mr Speaker Sir' freed on Sh100,000 bond in Sh41m Parliament damage case
Ezekiel Kyama Nzyoki, known as 'Mr Speaker Sir,' has been released on a Sh100,000 personal bond after pleading not guilty to charges of unlawfully entering Parliament buildings and causing Sh41.2 million in damages during the June 25, 2024 Gen Z protests against the Finance Bill 2024. The Milimani Senior Principal Magistrate, Caroline Mugo, ruled that there were no compelling reasons to deny bail, citing constitutional rights to reasonable bail. The prosecution argued that the charges were serious due to the high value of the alleged damage, while the defense, including Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, claimed the figures were exaggerated and that Kyama posed no flight risk or threat to the investigation.
Spending spree: Counties splash billions on travel, allowances and international meetings
A report by Kenya's Controller of Budget, Margaret Nyakang’o, revealed that county governments spent over Sh13.17 billion on domestic and international travel during the first nine months of the 2025/26 fiscal year. This spending occurred despite ongoing underfunding of critical sectors such as healthcare and education, where development projects remain stalled and hospitals face severe budget constraints. The findings were presented to the National Assembly’s Public Debt and Privatisation Committee in March 2026. The report highlights concerns about misallocation of resources ahead of upcoming elections, which will assess the performance of devolved leadership. No specific sources or external data were cited in the provided text.
Russia begins process to compensate kin of Kenyans killed in Ukraine war
The Russian government has acknowledged the loss of Kenyan citizens who died in the conflict in Ukraine and has initiated a compensation process for their families. Denis Bagaka and Simon Gititu, two Kenyans, were reportedly lured into the war while working as private security contractors in Qatar. This development comes amid growing concerns among Kenyan families affected by the war, who had been seeking clarity and support from the Russian authorities.
Overlooked
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