Nation Media Group was established in 1959 by His Highness the Aga Khan IV through the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development, operating initially as East African Newspapers (Nation Series) Ltd. The organization formally launched The Daily Nation on October 3, 1960, with Michael Curtis, former editor of the British News Chronicle, overseeing the publication's establishment. This timing placed Nation at the centre of Kenya's independence movement, offering a voice for the African majority during a period of intense political turbulence and Pan-African consciousness.
The Aga Khan's strategic decision to establish Nation reflected his commitment to supporting democratic institutions and independent journalism in East Africa. The group began with Taifa Leo, Kenya's first major Swahili-language newspaper, which premiered in 1958, followed by The Daily Nation and Sunday Nation in 1960. This multi-language approach proved transformative, allowing Nation to reach both educated English-speaking urban audiences and broader Swahili-speaking populations across East Africa.
By the late twentieth century, Nation Media Group had evolved into the largest independent media house in East and Central Africa, with significant operations across Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. The organization maintained editorial independence through successive political regimes, though this independence was periodically tested. NMG's expansion into broadcast media came in 1999 with the launch of NTV Kenya, marking the group's entry into television journalism at a time when private broadcasting was still limited in the region.
Nation's historical significance extends beyond commercial success. The organization played a pivotal role in Kenya's democratic development, providing coverage of the multiparty transition in the 1990s and contributing to public education during the 2010 constitutional referendum. Journalists within the Nation group consistently pursued stories that other outlets avoided, establishing the organization as a barometer of editorial freedom in Kenya.
The organization's ownership structure shifted in 2025 when the Aga Khan Fund announced the sale of its majority shareholding, concluding more than six decades of direct ownership. The transition marked both an end to a founding era and potential new directions for the institution, though Nation Media Group remained positioned as a significant regional media influence with holdings in multiple countries and platforms.
See Also
KBC Broadcasting History Daily Nation Establishment Taifa Leo Swahili Press NTV News Coverage Media Ownership Control East African Standard