Serious allegations of editorial interference, surveillance, and internal power struggles have emerged from within Standard Media Group, centered around the operations at Spice FM studios.
According to insider reports, a close family member tied to the media group’s ownership has quietly taken de facto control over programming decisions, allegedly vetting all guests and commentators allowed on air and determining whose opinions are published across the company’s media platforms, particularly filtering out those perceived as politically aligned or critical of certain interests. Editorial changes and alleged internal surveillance at Spice FM raise concerns among staff, as programming shifts and suspensions fuel speculation of a broader shakeup at Standard Media Group.
Several staff members, speaking on condition of anonymity, claim that these internal shifts have led to a climate of fear and self-censorship within the newsroom.
Presenters and producers are reportedly under increased surveillance, with sources alleging that an external security firm has been contracted to monitor staff communications, including calls and messages, a move some believe is aimed at silencing dissent or ensuring compliance with the new editorial direction.
The tensions appear to have reached a boiling point last week when vocal Spice FM presenter Charles T Muga (CT Muga) was reportedly sent on forced leave after hosting a popular Nairobi politician, a known pro-government voice who has previously criticized the Moi family.
Muga’s suspension was followed by the sidelining of a producer accused of colluding with him in booking the controversial guest.
In response, fellow presenter Ndu Okoh is said to have gone on a go-slow in silent protest, with Spice FM’s usual morning programming notably absent from the airwaves Monday, further fuelling speculation of a brewing newsroom crisis. Some staff members now fear that continued interference and top-down control could not only stifle editorial independence but also compromise the credibility of the group’s broadcast and print platforms. "Hey Nyakundi. There something that is brewing at standard media group, especially the Spice FM studios, there is a relative of Gideon Moi who now controls who goes to the studios and even to the TV side and opinions on the standard newspaper, no pro-government commentators are supposed to be invited to the studios, the Moi relative must approve all the guests who are invited to the shows, while kwambai the head of radio implements the order on Radio Maisha side, the guy is now working with the head of security who have contracted an independent firm to snoop on the staff calls and messages, especially the presentators and commercial managers. CT Muga, the vocal spice fm presenter, was sent on forced leave after bringing Robert Alai (who is considered a pro-government analyst, and having made remarks against the Moi family) to the studios pending investigations..., Edna the producer was also suspended on claims that she colluded with CT muga, as you might have noticed today spice fm show wasn't broadcasted as Nduu is on a go-slow in solidarity with her colleagues and showing displeasure with the new dictotorial rules by the Gideon Moi family, all this is happening while the MPRSK and other media regulators are just watching."