This archive report was first published on 1 October 2019.
On 1st October 2019, The Standard Group made a surprise move by rehiring Denis Galava, a PhD student at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland, to lead its daily publications.
Galava takes over from Kipkoech Tanui, who was recently elevated to the powerful position of Executive Editor and Head of news.
As Managing Editor, Daily Publication, Galava will lead the output of the daily publications, working closely with the Head of News to guide other editors and commercial teams in improving journalism and growing ad revenues.
Galava is an experienced journalist and is seen by many media managers as an independent and hard-nosed editor.
His appointment comes after the media house failed to secure Bernard Mwinzi from Nation Media Group, who was instead promoted to managing editor weekends.
Galava has a strong background in journalism, having previously worked at Nation Media Group, where he held senior editorial positions, including managing editor for Saturday Nation and Managing Editor for special projects.
However, his return to The Standard Group is not without controversy, as he was previously fired in March 2017 after running foul of the NMG editorial system by publishing a strongly worded editorial criticizing the Jubilee Government.
Galava holds a Bachelor of Education (Arts) English and Literature from Kenyatta University and two master’s degrees – peace studies from Coventry University and African Studies from Oxford University. He is currently studying his PhD at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland.
He faces the unenviable task of transforming The Standard daily editions, which have been struggling to attract and retain readers, with a daily circulation of just under 50,000 copies per day.
