Nation Media Group has officially closed its Mombasa bureau as part of a comprehensive restructuring plan aimed at addressing falling revenues and mounting financial pressure on the media house.
The decision, communicated to staff on February 19, 2026, affects journalists, photographers, editors and support personnel who have operated from the coastal office for decades. The bureau, located in Nyali, served as the primary news-gathering hub for Coast region coverage, including Mombasa, Kilifi, Kwale, Taita Taveta and Lamu counties.
A brief internal memo from NMG management stated that the closure is “a necessary step to align operational costs with current revenue realities.” The company cited sustained decline in print advertising, competition from digital platforms, rising production and distribution costs, and the broader impact of economic slowdown on media spending as key drivers behind the move.
NMG Managing Director and CEO Joe Ageyo confirmed the closure in a statement released the same day. “This is a difficult but unavoidable decision in the current media landscape,” Ageyo said. “We have been forced to make tough choices to ensure the long-term sustainability of Nation Media Group. The Mombasa bureau closure will allow us to redirect resources toward digital transformation, content quality and core markets while maintaining strong Coast coverage through other means.”
The company emphasised that it will continue reporting on Coast region news through correspondents, freelancers, stringers and digital reporters based in Mombasa and other coastal towns. “Our commitment to covering Coast issues remains unchanged,” Ageyo added. “We are reconfiguring rather than retreating.”
Industry insiders indicate that the Mombasa closure is the first in a wave of regional office rationalisation. Sources familiar with NMG’s internal discussions say the company is reviewing bureaux in Kisumu, Eldoret, Nakuru and Nyeri, with decisions expected in the coming months. The group has already reduced staff numbers through voluntary retirement packages and natural attrition in the past two years.
The closure has drawn immediate reaction from journalists and media stakeholders. Kenya Union of Journalists Coast Branch Chairperson Mohamed Daghar described the move as “a major blow to regional journalism.” “Mombasa bureau has been the voice of the Coast for over 60 years,” Daghar said. “Closing it means less in-depth coverage of devolution, county governance, tourism, port activities and maritime issues that affect the national economy. We urge NMG to reconsider and find alternatives that preserve presence on the ground.”
Media Council of Kenya CEO David Omwoyo called for broader industry support. “Regional bureaux are vital for balanced national reporting,” Omwoyo said. “Their decline reflects structural challenges facing legacy media. We need policy interventions—tax relief, advertising support from government and private sector, and digital transition funding—to help sustain quality journalism outside Nairobi.”
Several Coast-based politicians and civil society leaders expressed concern that reduced coverage could weaken accountability of county governments. Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir said: “A strong media presence is essential for checking excesses and highlighting development needs. We hope NMG will maintain robust reporting on Coast issues even without a physical bureau.”
The Mombasa bureau closure follows similar moves by other media houses in recent years. Royal Media Services scaled back regional offices in 2024, while Standard Group has consolidated operations in Nairobi. The trend reflects declining print circulation, shrinking advertising budgets and the shift toward digital platforms where revenue models remain challenging for traditional players.
NMG reported a 22 percent drop in revenue for the financial year ending December 2025 compared with the previous period, driven by reduced print advertising and slower digital monetisation growth. The company has been implementing cost-cutting measures, including salary freezes, reduced travel budgets and digital-first content strategies.
Staff affected by the Mombasa closure have been offered redeployment to Nairobi where possible, voluntary separation packages or letters of recommendation for other opportunities. The company said it will honour all contractual obligations, including notice periods and terminal benefits.
As Kenya’s media landscape continues to evolve, the Mombasa bureau closure is seen as a significant moment in the decline of physical regional journalism infrastructure. Whether NMG and other houses can maintain quality Coast coverage through remote and freelance models will be closely watched in the coming months.
