Gov't limits print advertisements to MyGov publication

MyGov, which will be printed and distributed by Convergence Media (publishers of The Star newspaper) will serve as the official platform for all public sector print advertisements. 

The paper had until December 2023 been printed and circulated by Daily Nation, The Standard, The Star and The People Daily newspapers under a contractual arrangement with the State Department of Broadcasting and Telecommunications.

In a memo dated January 23 to all principal secretaries, CEOs of state corporations, independent commissions and all vice-chancellors of public universities, ICT Principal Secretary Edward Kisiang’ani noted that the contract has expired and that the government had floated a new tender for public sector advertisement.

“After presenting the lowest and most sustainable bid, Convergence Media (publishers of The Star newspaper) won the tender to take up the new contract. For the next two years, therefore, The Star newspaper will be the sole printer and distributor of MyGov, giving the paper a wide presence on all the online and broadcasting channels run by Convergence Media,” read the memo.

As a result, the PS said the terms of the new contract restrict all print advertisements from all public institutions, except counties, to MyGov.

“Any requests for exemptions to publish advertisements outside MyGov, on a day other than Tuesday (when MyGov is published), will be directed to the Star newspaper upon authorization by this office,” Kisiang’ani said.

“Consequently, this office will not grant any requests by MDAs to place any print advertisement on any other platform other than Convergence Media.”

The PS directed that all planned advertisements from public institutions be forwarded to the director of the Government Advertising Agency (GAA) by Friday of every week for publication and circulation of MyGov on the following Tuesday.