Kenya Newspaper

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Kenya Newspaper Analysis

Not every Kenya newspaper will be much use to you if you are looking for reliable and professionally written Kenya news articles. Here's the lowdown on Kenya newspapers...

Press Freedom in Kenya

Because Kenya largely enjoys unbridled press freedom, Kenya's newspapers are free to determine their editorial content.

However, this press freedom has been blighted in recent years, by first, a state-sanctioned commando-style raid on the Standard Group offices in March 2006 and second, a brief ban on live reporting in early 2008 following the disputed elections.

More recently, the Kenya Communications (Amendment) Bill (popularly referred to as the "Media Bill") passed by Parliament in December 2008 has been described as draconian by pundits. This is because it has the potential to drastically stifle media freedom in the country. It gives the government power to censor content aired in the Kenyan media, to raid and close media houses, to seize and destroy journalistic equipment and to even open and check postal mail.

Daily Nation Kenya

Part of the Aga Khan conglomerate, Daily Nation Kenya is regarded as the most authoritative Kenya newspaper. It boasts the widest circulation and readership and is undoubtedly your best source of news on political and economic developments in Kenya.

For those interested in doing business in Kenya, be sure to peruse the detailed business section of the newspaper every Tuesday.

There are comprehensive job listings every Friday and the incisive political commentaries in the Sunday Nation are certainly worth reading.

You can read the online version of the newspaper although only subscribers can access pages classified as premium content. More...

Standard

Although they are competitors, Standard actually complements the Daily Nation and you will probably need to buy both newspapers for a complete picture of Kenya news.

In recent years, Standard has carved out its reputation as the most independent Kenya newspaper, a feat which was given credence by the raid on the newspaper's offices in 2006 already alluded to.

The real estate pullout every Thursday, which lists properties for sale and rent and analyzes trends in the sector, is much-sought after. The Standard newspaper website has recently been revamped.

The East African

Part of the Nation Media Group, this is the only newspaper that comprehensively covers the East African countries of Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi. It is published weekly and is on sale from Sunday.

Archived articles can be accessed online without charge although these are normally at least a week old.

Business Daily

Launched in 2008, this is the only daily newspaper dedicated to analyzing business Kenya issues. It has detailed sections on foreign exchange movements, Kenya stocks and international stock exchanges.

Although you can read portions of the newspaper online, premium content can only be accessed through subscription.

Coastweek

As the name suggests, this weekly newspaper's editorial content is dedicated to covering events at and issues affecting the Kenyan coast.

Coastweek is particularly regarded as a useful source of shipping information.

Nairobi Star

This colorful Kenya newspaper is part of the Radio Africa Group (owned by Ghanaian Patrick Quarcoo) which also owns Kiss FM and Classic FM.

This tabloid first rolled off the press in 2007 and is famous for being the first to report many human interest stories. You can read their online version at their website.

Daily Metro

Daily Metro, also owned by the Nation Media Group, started in 2007 and is a direct competitor of the Nairobi Star.

It targets younger and less sophisticated readers who are looking for something light to read.

Selling at Ksh. 20 (which is about half what the other dailies cost), it is also being positioned as a newspaper for the lower income group.

Citizen

The Citizen, which prides itself as falling in the "alternative media" segment, is a weekly newspaper that claims to bring its readers the inside scoop on events in the corridors of power.

It employs an abrasive writing style and retails for Ksh. 30. It does not have a website yet.