The Standard Group PLC has appointed John Bundotich as acting Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective November 1, 2026. The board announced the decision in a notice to shareholders and the public dated October 23, 2026.
Bundotich takes over as Chaacha Mwita leaves the company on the same date. Kenyans.co.ke reported on October 16 that Mwita will exit, seven months after his substantive appointment on April 1, 2026. He had served as acting CEO from July 1, 2025.
What the board said
The board issued the notice under Paragraph 11 of the Thirteenth Schedule of the Capital Markets (Public Offers, Listings and Disclosures) Regulations, 2023. Company Secretary Catherine Kawira signed it on the board’s behalf.
The board said Bundotich has more than 25 years of experience leading print, broadcast and digital media operations in Kenya. It said he is recognised for “his integrity, strategic vision, sound judgement” and for leading organisations through changing business conditions.
The notice carries a Capital Markets Authority disclaimer. It says the regulator approved the announcement for information only and takes no responsibility for the correctness of its statements.
Who John Bundotich is
Bundotich is the Acting Editor in Chief of The Standard Group PLC, a role the company’s corporate page also lists. He has been Group Chief Editor and Assistant Director at the company since 2014.
According to the board, he has held senior roles at The Standard Group and the Nation Media Group. His work covered editorial, operational and multimedia platforms, including audience growth, product development and newsroom convergence. The board said he has also dealt with regulators, government institutions and commercial partners.
He holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree from Kenyatta University. He has completed executive programmes in corporate governance, leadership, finance, performance management, labour relations and media innovation. He is an Accredited Journalist of the Media Council of Kenya and a Member of the Institute of Economic Affairs.
Leadership changes at Standard Group in 2026
Mwita’s exit follows a series of changes at the Nairobi Securities Exchange listed company. He is the fifth chief executive to leave the group in under three years. The board gave no reason for his resignation and had not named a successor when it announced his departure.
On October 12, the company said Edward Mwasi and Dr James McFie had resigned as non executive directors, effective August 31. It appointed Anthony Ambaka Kegode, Tom Odongo and Elishah Njeru as independent non executive directors from October 15.
Kawira became company secretary after the board confirmed Mwita as CEO in April. She replaced Millicent Ngetich, who resigned on March 31.
The changes come amid prolonged losses, lower advertising revenue and the cost of moving to digital publishing. The Group suspended a proposed KES 1.5 billion rights issue in February 2026.
What the notice does not say
The notice does not state how long the acting appointment will last. It does not say whether the board has begun a search for a substantive CEO, or what terms apply to Bundotich.
The Standard Group publishes The Standard newspaper and runs KTN, Radio Maisha, The Nairobian, Spice FM and Berur FM.
Khusoko tracks executive appointments in its People section. Recent entries include KenGen’s naming of Ronoh Kibet Charles as its next CEO and Nation Media Group’s response on women in editorial leadership. More listed company news is in the Company section.
Bundotich assumes the role on November 1. The board has not said when it will confirm a substantive chief executive.
