Standard Group PLC Chief Executive Officer Chaacha Mwita has resigned, just seven months after he was confirmed in the top job at one of Kenya’s oldest media houses.
In a notice signed by Company Secretary Catherine Kawira on behalf of the board, the Nairobi Securities Exchange-listed firm said Mwita will step down as CEO and Executive Director with effect from November 1, 2026.
The company did not give a reason for his departure and has not named a successor. “The Board takes this opportunity to express its sincere appreciation to Mr Chaacha,” the notice read, thanking him for his dedication and contribution to the company.
Mwita took charge of the publisher of The Standard newspaper, KTN and Radio Maisha as acting CEO on July 1, 2025, following the resignation of Marion Gathoga-Mwangi, who left on June 30, 2025, after about a year in the role.
The board confirmed him as substantive CEO on April 1, 2026, after a nine-month acting stint. His exit makes him the fifth chief executive to leave the media group in under three years.
A veteran journalist, editor and media strategist, Mwita holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of St. Gallen, a postgraduate diploma in mass communication and a Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Nairobi. He has carried out media assessments and strategic reviews in Kenya, Mozambique, South Africa and Zambia.
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His resignation comes amid a wider boardroom reshuffle. On October 12, 2026, the company announced that Edward Mwasi and Dr James McFie had stepped down as non-executive directors with effect from August 31, 2026. Days later, it appointed Anthony Ambaka Kegode, Tom Odongo and Elishah Njeru as independent non-executive directors with effect from October 15, 2026.
The leadership changes come at a difficult time for the group, which, like many traditional media houses, has been dealing with falling revenues as audiences and advertisers move to digital platforms.
The company has reported losses in recent years, suspended a planned rights issue of about Sh1.5 billion that was meant to raise fresh capital, and faced delays in collecting advertising payments, which have strained its cash flow.
Market analysts at Mwango Capital said the exit “continues high leadership turnover at the media group amid ongoing losses,” noting that there was “no reason or successor disclosed.” The board is expected to announce interim leadership arrangements before Mwita’s departure takes effect on November 1.
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