Former IEBC Commissioner Roselyn Akombe has expressed concern after Nation Media Group was acquired by Tanzanian billionaire Rostam Azizi’s Taarifa Ltd, with Azizi becoming the majority shareholder after buying out the Aga Khan’s 54.08% stake.
According to reports, the deal, valued at an undisclosed amount, marks the end of the Aga Khan’s 66-year association with the media house.
Azizi, who spoke after acquiring the media house, pledged to uphold NMG’s editorial independence and invest in its digital transformation.
The move sparked mixed reactions from a section of Kenyans who took to social media platforms to speak on this.
The majority of them expressed their concern over freedom of the media, adding that President William Ruto’s administration should protect Kenyan assets.
Former IEBC Commissioner Roselyn, who also took to X (formerly Twitter) to speak on this, said that Kenya’s last independent media house has been taken over. She called on Kenyans to brace for tough times ahead.
Meanwhile, Kiharu member of parliament, Ndindi Nyoro, has alleged that the media house was bought by a Kenyan, adding that this is unacceptable. He alleged that the Tanzanian billionaire was being used to buy the media house.