Kenya’s media landscape has witnessed a groundbreaking shift as People Daily transitions to an entirely digital format, becoming the first mainstream newspaper in the country to abandon its print edition.
Why People Daily Went Fully Digital
Managing Editor Mayaka Gekara stated, “The era of holding freshly printed newspapers is fading. Our younger audiences consume content online, and we must meet them there.” He added that they remain committed to delivering content covering politics, health, lifestyle, technology, and more through digital channels.
The decision was fueled by the paper’s efforts to adapt to a changing market. Founded in 1992 and owned by Media Max Limited, People Daily has grown to be Kenya’s fourth most influential newspaper. Despite its innovative transition to a free-sheet model in 2014, the loss of government advertising—their primary revenue stream—dealt a significant blow.
The paper also cited environment conservation as another reason for their digital switch. The launch event was held at Kibiku Forest, where People Daily and Mediamax teams planted several tree seedlings. Mediamax Network Limited CEO Ken Ngaruiya noted that it is not enough to plant trees, but there’s need to ensure the trees grow.
Challenges Driving the Move
After the government redirected all its advertising to The Star newspaper, People Daily struggled to sustain free circulation. Industry insiders reveal that without this revenue source, the print edition became unsustainable. The transition mirrors global trends, as newspapers worldwide seek survival in the digital age.
Global Newspapers Going Digital
The shift to digital-only formats is not unique to Kenya. In the United States, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer ceased print operations in 2009 after 149 years. The UK’s The Independent followed suit in 2016, abandoning print to embrace a sustainable online model. Scotland’s Caledonian Mercury also transitioned in 2010, becoming part of a global wave of digital-first publications.
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