The Standard Group PLC has appointed Dr Naim Bilal Yaseen as its new Group Chief Executive Officer, with effect from November 1, 2026, following the departure of Chaacha Mwita.
In a public announcement dated Thursday, October 29, the media company said its Board of Directors selected Yaseen after completing a competitive recruitment process. His appointment supersedes an earlier arrangement that had placed John Bundotich, the group’s Acting Editor-in-Chief, in the acting CEO position from November 1.
Yaseen brings more than three decades of experience spanning media, public institutions and corporate governance, having previously served as Managing Director of the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) and Director of Public Affairs and Communication at the Judiciary.
The appointment comes after Mwita announced his resignation as Group CEO and Executive Director, effective November 1, 2026. His exit was communicated by the board on October 16, although the company did not disclose the reasons for his departure.
Mwita had initially assumed leadership of Standard Group in an acting capacity on July 1, 2025, following the departure of Marion Gathoga-Mwangi. He was subsequently confirmed as the substantive Group CEO on April 1, 2026, after a board evaluation and selection process.
His departure therefore comes seven months after his confirmation, prompting another change at the top of the Nairobi Securities Exchange-listed media company.
Yaseen’s professional background combines broadcasting, institutional communication and legal expertise. At KBC, he served as Managing Director, overseeing the public broadcaster’s operations, while his role at the Judiciary involved managing public affairs and institutional communication.
He holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Communication Studies, a Master of Arts in Communications Policy, a Master of Business Administration (MBA) and a Bachelor of Laws degree. He is also an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya.
The Standard Group board said the incoming chief executive would be expected to strengthen the company’s digital and commercial performance while maintaining editorial independence.
The board expressed confidence that his experience would help advance the group’s business objectives while protecting the public trust on which its journalism depends.
The appointment comes as media organisations face pressure to adapt to changing audience consumption habits, expand their digital operations and develop sustainable commercial models amid competition for advertising revenue and online audiences.
Standard Group operates several media platforms, including The Standard newspaper, KTN, Radio Maisha and Spice FM, alongside its digital publishing operations.
Yaseen assumes office on November 1, the same day Mwita’s resignation takes effect, marking another leadership transition for the media company.
