JOURNALIST JAMES SMART APPOINTED MANAGING EDITOR, BROADCAST & NEW MEDIA AT NATION

In a move to strengthen its digital-first strategy, Nation Media Group (NMG) has unveiled a restructuring of its editorial leadership, with veteran journalist and NTV anchor James Smart appointed as the new Managing Editor, Broadcast and New Media.

The changes, announced in an internal memo by Editor-in-Chief Joe Ageyo, are designed to accelerate digital innovation, enhance audience engagement, and streamline workflows across NMG’s operations in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.

The reshuffle introduces new roles and rebrands existing ones to align with NMG’s audience-led, digital-first vision. A key highlight is the creation of the Executive Editor for Digital Innovation, a position tasked with driving the group’s digital strategy and coordinating content initiatives across the three East African markets.

Other notable changes include: The Managing Editor, Production role has been renamed Managing Editor, Broadcast and New Media, now held by James Smart, a Chevening Scholar and Cardiff University alumnus. Smart, who previously served as Managing Editor, Production and Partnerships, has been instrumental in growing NMG’s podcast segment. In his new capacity, he will focus on expanding video content and new media formats.

The Managing Editor, Content Hubs role is now Managing Editor, Content Strategy, with Harry Misiko a Chevening Scholar and former Lead Editor, News Desk taking charge.

A new Climate and Young Audiences editorial hub has been established NMG’s commitment to youth-focused journalism and climate change coverage, led by Zeynab Wandati.

To consolidate publishing operations, NMG has introduced the Managing Editor, Publishing role, with Washington Gikunju appointed to oversee print and digital integration for all NMG brands. Under this new structure, Lead Editors will now manage both print and digital versions of their respective publications, reporting directly to Gikunju.