Kenya’s top three leading local newspapers have suffered a major blow after the government of Kenya announced plans to centralize all its advertisements.
Up until recently, MyGov was regularly printed and circulated by the four daily newspapers namely: Daily Nation, The Standard, The Star, and The People Daily done under a contract signed between the media house and the State Department.
However, in a circular signed by the Principal Secretary Ministry of Information Communication and Technology (ICT), all government advertisements will now be printed and distributed by The Star newspaper.
“For the next two years therefore, The Star newspaper will be the sole printer and distributor of MyGov, giving the paper a wide presence on all the online and broadcast channels run by the convergent media,” the notice read in part.
The Star newspaper won the tender after presenting the lowest and most sustainable bid beating the Daily Nation, The Standard, and the People Daily.
“Before the expiry of the contracts, the ministry floated a new tender for public sector advertisement. After presenting the lowest and most sustainable bid, Convergent Media (The Star Newspaper) won the tender to take up the contract,” the notice added.
As such, print advertisements from all public institutions must be forwarded to the director of, the Government Advertising Agency, latest by Friday, every week to give the design and printers ample time to complete the layout before publication and circulation of MyGov on the following Tuesday.
“Approvals for advertisement schedules for MyGov should be issued by close of business on Friday, of every week to allow for finalization of the design and page allocation for the advertisements and eventual printing and timely circulation of the paper.
