In a recent move, the government has implemented a policy restricting all its print media advertisements to the state-owned MyGov publication. MyGov, now under the printing and distribution management of Convergence Media (publishers of The Star newspaper), has been designated as the exclusive platform for all public sector print advertisements.
Until December 2023, MyGov was printed and distributed by various newspapers, including Daily Nation, The Standard, The Star, and The People Daily, through a contractual arrangement with the State Department of Broadcasting and Telecommunications.
A memo dated January 23, addressed to principal secretaries, CEOs of state corporations, independent commissions, and vice-chancellors of public universities, was issued by ICT Principal Secretary Edward Kisiang’ani. The memo highlighted the expiration of the previous contract and the government's decision to float a new tender for public sector advertisements.
Convergence Media, the publisher of The Star newspaper, secured the new contract after presenting the lowest and most sustainable bid. As a result, The Star newspaper will be the exclusive printer and distributor of MyGov for the next two years, extending its presence across Convergence Media's online and broadcasting channels.
Under the terms of the new contract, all print advertisements from public institutions (excluding counties) are restricted to MyGov. Requests for exemptions, such as publishing advertisements outside of MyGov or on days other than Tuesday (MyGov's publication day), must be directed to The Star newspaper, authorized by the ICT Principal Secretary.
The memo emphasized that the office would not entertain requests from Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to place print advertisements on any platform other than Convergence Media. Furthermore, all planned advertisements from public institutions are required to be submitted to the director of the Government Advertising Agency (GAA) by Friday of each week for publication in MyGov the following Tuesday.