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Senior Editor & Media Executive
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Mutuma Mathiu is a veteran Kenyan journalist and media executive, widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in the country’s press industry. He served as Group Editorial Director of Nation Media Group (NMG), overseeing editorial operations across its print and digital platforms. His leadership spanned critical years of transformation, guiding NMG as it adapted to shifting media consumption habits. Beyond his executive role, Mathiu is a prolific columnist and thought leader. His opinion-pieces regularly engage with issues of governance, democracy, economics and regional affairs — shaping public discourse across Kenya and East Africa. Even after stepping down from his editorial leadership post, he continues to write with passion and clarity, contributing to ongoing national debates.
Steered NMG through digital transformation: As Group Editorial Director (from January 2019), Mathiu led the overhaul of NMG’s editorial policy and operations to adapt to digital-era journalism; under his guidance, the group re-designed its print titles and restructured its newsrooms for sustainability.
Maintained editorial integrity amid upheaval: Through his tenure, he emphasised journalistic ethics, content quality and “purpose-driven journalism,” arguing that media must preserve its mission beyond mere profit-seeking.
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Influential columnist and public intellectual: His opinion essays — on governance, culture, economy and democracy — are widely shared and debated, making him a well-regarded voice among Kenyan intellectuals, policymakers and the public.
Institutional impact beyond NMG: As part of his broader advocacy, he contributed publicly to debates on media sustainability, copyright reforms (notably in the creative and music industries), and the role of journalism in safeguarding democracy.
