Former Nation Media Group editor-in-chief Tom Mshindi has been appointed as the chairman of the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) board.
The appointment was made effective immediately, according to a gazette notification dated January 19.
“I William Samoei Ruto…appoint Tom Mshindi Nyamancha to be the Chairperson of the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation Board for a period of three years with effect from January 19, 2024,” stated the gazette notice.
However,Tom Mshindi, who worked at NMG for 24 years, has a strong background in journalism.
He started as a journalist and later became the managing editor of the Daily Nation.
Therefore,He retired in 2018, receiving praise from the NMG Board for his two decades of service to the company.
“The board notes with appreciation that he has been a key player as the company embarked on its transformation journey to transition from a purely legacy platform media house into an online first digital content company of the 21st century,” said the NMG Board in a statement in 2018.
Consequently, Mr. Mshindi’s appointment to the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation board comes at a time when-
the national broadcaster recently dismissed its managing director, Samuel Maina, over a controversial contract.
Samuel Maina was sacked for committing the government to pay Sh750 billion in an LCIA arbitration without the ministry’s approval.
In response, the cabinet secretary appointed communication economist Paul Macharia as the acting managing director.
With Tom Mshindi’s extensive experience in the media industry,
his appointment as the chairman of the KBC board is expected to bring a fresh perspective and contribute to the further development of the national broadcaster.
As the new chairman,
Additionally,Mshindi will play a crucial role in overseeing the operations and strategic direction of the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation-
ensuring that it continues to serve the country.
Thus,the appointment reflects President Ruto’s commitment to strengthening the media sector and ensuring that the KBC remains a reliable –
and influential source of news and information for the Kenyan people.
