Seasoned journalist Oliver Mathenge has announced his departure from Nation Media Group (NMG) after dedicating half of his career to the organisation.
Reflecting on his journey, Mathenge described his time at NMG as one filled with learning, collaboration, and transformation.
We are but temporary custodians of the roles we hold; what matters is the impact we leave behind and the relationships we build.
Driving digital transformation at NTV
During his tenure as Multimedia Editor at NTV, Mathenge spearheaded initiatives that significantly contributed to NMG's digital evolution.
One of his key achievements was leading the development of the NTV Kenya website, now a pivotal platform for the broadcaster's diverse content.
Mathenge expressed his pride in the team’s accomplishments, particularly during the 2022 elections. He noted that their innovative use of data visualisation and social media not only enhanced on-air coverage but also shaped public discourse.
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Championing audience engagement and revenue growth
As Managing Editor for Audiences and Engagement, Mathenge played a vital role in implementing strategies that enhanced audience engagement and drove digital growth.
He was instrumental in rolling out paywalls for Nation Africa, Business Daily, and The East African, a move aimed at prioritising quality journalism and ensuring sustainable revenue streams.
This initiative, supported by robust analytics dashboards, has empowered the newsroom to focus on quality journalism.
Pioneering artificial intelligence frameworks
Mathenge also chaired a taskforce that developed NMG's Artificial Intelligence Framework and represented the company on the Media Council of Kenya's working group on AI guidelines.
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Looking ahead
While recognising NMG's strides in digital transformation, Mathenge emphasised the potential for further growth and innovation
Before Nation Media Group, Oliver was the Managing Editor at Radio Africa-owned The Star Newspaper.
Mathenge boasts of a 14-year career in communications - 10 of which have been in active political and current affairs journalism.
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He has also been involved in corporate branding, communication, and marketing with proven results in the education and behavior change communication sectors.