- John Bundotich, who has served as acting editor-in-chief since January 2025, was appointed acting CEO of Standard Group
- Chaacha Mwita resigned as Standard Group CEO effective November 1, 2026, just seven months after his substantive appointment
- Bundotich is a veteran journalist who has spent more than a decade in Standard Group's editorial leadership.
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Elijah Ntongai is an experienced editor at TUKO.co.ke, with more than four years in financial, business, labour and technology research and reporting. His work provides valuable insights into Kenyan, African, and global trends.
John Bundotich has been named acting Chief Executive Officer of The Standard Group PLC following the resignation of Chaacha Mwita, whose departure takes effect on November 1, 2026.
Source: UGC
Mwita's exit was communicated through a notice dated October 16, 2026, ending a tenure of just seven months since his substantive appointment in April 2026.
He had first assumed the CEO role on an acting basis from July 1, 2025, after Marion Gathoga-Mwangi stepped down following roughly a year in the position.
Bundotich's Editorial Background
The incoming acting CEO is a veteran journalist who has spent more than a decade in Standard Group's editorial leadership.
He was appointed acting editor-in-chief in January 2025, following the resignation of Ochieng Rapuro, and has since overseen newsroom operations.
"Mr Bundotich is a strategic media executive and transformational leader with over 25 years of experience leading print, broadcast and digital media operations in Kenya. He currently serves as Acting Editor-in-Chief of The Standard Group PLC, with a proven track record in organisational leadership, business transformation, corporate governance, stakeholder management, digital innovation and change leadership," the board stated in a notice by the secretary.
Source: UGC
Bundotich holds a master's degree from the University of Nairobi and a bachelor's degree from Kenyatta University.
He served as Group Chief Editor and Assistant Director at Standard Group from 2014 before stepping aside the following year to accommodate Joseph Odindo's appointment as Editorial Director.
He subsequently led the magazines and special projects desk and later managed weekend newspaper editions from July 2017.
Earlier in his career, he worked at Nation Media Group's Business Weekly.
The board is expected to conduct a search for a substantive CEO, with Bundotich's confirmation depending on his ability to stabilise the company's finances and halt staff attrition.
His immediate priorities include managing cash flow, resolving the regulatory fee dispute, and pursuing the unpaid government advertising debt.
Standard Group, which operates the Standard newspaper, KTN, Radio Maisha and several digital platforms, remains one of Kenya's oldest media institutions.
Ronoh Kibet to replace Peter Njenga as KenGen CEO
In other news, Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) has appointed Ronoh Kibet Charles as its managing director and CEO designate following a competitive recruitment process, with the transition scheduled for 1 February 2027.
Kibet, currently the general manager for commercial services, brings more than 17 years of experience in geothermal development, project delivery, commercial strategy and renewable energy investments.
He contributed to initiatives including the Olkaria Green Energy Park and the expansion of KenGen’s international consultancy business and holds degrees in telecommunications engineering and project management.
He will succeed Peter Waweru Njenga, whose tenure saw the electricity producer record a KSh 10.48 billion profit after tax in the 2025 financial year while expanding its geothermal consultancy operations.
Source: TUKO.co.ke