NMG Appoints James Smart as Managing Editor Amid Editorial Restructuring

Nation Media Group (NMG) has appointed James Smart as Managing Editor, Broadcast and New Media as part of a major editorial leadership restructuring aimed at strengthening its digital-first operations across East Africa.

Smart, a Chevening Scholar and Cardiff University alumnus who previously served as Managing Editor, Production and Partnerships, will now focus on accelerating video content creation and expanding new formats across NMG’s newsroom.

The appointment comes as the media group implements sweeping changes to its editorial leadership structure across Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, according to a memo sent to staff last Thursday by Editor-in-Chief Joe Ageyo.

“As the content landscape rapidly evolves, our newsroom will continue to respond appropriately by constantly evaluating our structures and making adjustments,” Ageyo stated in the memo.

Smart, who has been instrumental in growing NMG’s podcast segment while also serving as an NTV anchor, is among several senior editors taking on new roles in the restructuring that aims to accelerate digital innovation and enhance audience engagement across all platforms.

Other key appointments include Washington Gikunju as Managing Editor, Publishing, who will oversee publishing workflows for print outlets and their corresponding websites, and Harry Misiko, a Chevening Scholar and alumnus of City, University of London, who has been promoted to Managing Editor, Content Strategy.

The restructuring also includes the creation of new positions such as Executive Editor for Digital Innovation, which will be filled by Victor Mushi, who will spearhead the group’s digital strategy from Tanzania while coordinating content initiatives across newsrooms in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.

In a strategic pivot toward youth-centered journalism, NMG has created a new editorial hub focusing on Climate and Young Audiences, underscoring the media house’s commitment to addressing pressing global issues while engaging younger demographics.

The reorganization has also seen several other appointments, including Alex Ndegwa as Lead Editor, Daily Nation (Print and Digital), Mike Owuor as Lead Editor, Weekend, and Zeynab Wandati as Editor, Climate and Young Audiences.

The changes come as NMG continues to implement full newsroom integration, recasting its content strategy, and implementing a paywall strategy to generate reader revenue—initiatives that have been underway for the past two years.

NMG, East Africa’s largest media house, has already accomplished major milestones in its digital transformation, including redesigning its newsroom structure and establishing various Content Hubs as it adapts to changing consumer preferences and consumption patterns.

The newly appointed editorial leaders are expected to drive NMG’s continued evolution from traditional print and broadcast operations toward an integrated, audience-focused digital media powerhouse across the region.