A major disruption has hit the Standard Media Group, temporarily taking its popular television and radio stations off air.
In a statement issued on Friday, May 23, the media giant announced that a technical hitch had affected the transmission of several platforms, including KTN News, Radio Maisha, Spice FM, and Berur FM.
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Broadcast Interrupted, Online Streaming Still Available
Despite the setback, Standard Media Group assured the public that its engineers were working round the clock to restore services. Meanwhile, all affected channels remain accessible through their online platforms.
“Standard Group radio and TV platforms are temporarily off air due to a technical hitch; KTN, Radio Maisha, Spice FM, and Berur FM are available online as engineers work to restore services,” the company said.
Political Spotlight on Standard Group Headlines
This technical issue comes amid rising political pressure targeting the media house’s editorial direction. On April 20, President William Ruto sharply criticized a Standard newspaper headline that likened his unity gesture with Raila Odinga to a betrayal by Judas, accusing the paper of undermining national unity.
“Those who don’t know God are telling us in newspapers that unity is betrayal,” the president said, in what appeared to be a direct attack on the publication’s editorial policy.
ODM’s Response to Alleged Media Bias
On May 5, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) also issued a stern statement against The Standard for what they called a “smear campaign” targeting Raila Odinga and his family. This followed a front-page story listing family members who had received government appointments under the Kenya Kwanza regime.
ODM claimed the newspaper was attempting to “negate, demean, and destroy” the legacy and sacrifices of Odinga, who they say has dedicated his life to the betterment of Kenya.
As engineers work to resolve the broadcast interruption, the Standard Media Group finds itself in the eye of both a technical and political storm. The ongoing criticism from top political figures only adds to the scrutiny facing one of Kenya’s oldest and most influential media houses.
