Q. When did you first entertain the idea of going into publishing?
A. I have always loved writing. In high school, I was the editor of the school magazine in 1974. When I finished high school I approached quite a number of publishers to publish my articles and Hilary Ng’weno, the publisher of the now-defunct Weekly Review – Kenya’s first analytical political and business magazine - gave me audience and hired me as his motoring correspondent in 1984. He gave me lessons in writing and publishing which have been my guiding principles in writing and publishing. He told me to do my research thoroughly before writing. He also advised me never to undermine or write something negative that would destroy my country.
Q. What motivated you to plunge into publishing?
A. The first article in the Weekly Review magazine got me a lot of compliments from readers. This motivated me to continue writing regularly. I later joined the Daily Nation newspaper, also as a motoring correspondent, before I launched my own motoring magazine in 1991. My inspiration in journalism has been Ng’weno, Isaiah Kabira (Head of the Presidential Press Service), Herman Igambi – a former Editor-in-Chief of the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation - and esteemed News Editor and trainer Mutegi Njau (now of the trend-setting Royal Media Services).
Q. How many titles does Media7 Group own?
A. Media7 Group has six specialised niche magazines, namely the Motor Monthly, Lifestyle magazine (a young ladies’ lifestyle magazine), HM magazine (His Magazine – now the only men’s-only lifestyle magazine in East Africa) and Business Monthly (the only serious business magazine that is published monthly). Others are Mum and Dad, (the first Hanningtone Gaya professional parents’ magazine) and Her (the first young women’s magazine which celebrates the unsung heroines). We however intend to have seven titles and ultimately go into television broadcasting.
Q. Why must you publish all these magazines?
A. My main motivation in publishing all these titles is to inform Kenyans. I feel that Kenyans still do not have enough sources of well-researched and in-depth articles in both specialised writing and lifestyle. Am an expert in motoring and a fellow of the Institute of the Motor Industry. I was the first African in the Commonwealth to hold that qualification.
Q. How do you find magazine publishing?
A. Magazine publishing in Kenya is extremely challenging. Kenyan advertisers do not believe in advertising in magazines, therefore there is no advertising revenue to sustain magazine publishing. Kenyans do not like reading books or magazines, which undermines magazine circulation and subscription. Most magazine publishers carry very shallow articles which are not well researched. The magazines appear sporadically and therefore disappointing to loyal readers, subscribers and advertisers. Some magazine publishers do not go into the publishing trade with good intentions, which means their products can’t last. The high cost of printing and poor quality in colour printing is a major disadvantage in Kenya.
Q. Who are your target clients?
A. My target clients are Kenyans who love in-depth and well researched information. These are the clients who consume foreign magazines. My magazines are well distributed throughout East Africa by our distributors. 70 per cent of our products are bought in Kenya, 20 per cent in Uganda and 10 per cent in Tanzania.
Q. Do you contemplate getting into weekly and daily publishing?
A. Yes. First I want to get into TV and then daily news publishing. This is because I see a gap in socio-economic news reporting. Indeed I want to change the Kenyan mindset and convince them that media content is more than the screaming politics that occupy Kenyan daily newspapers. Am also tempted to get into weekly newspaper publishing.
Q. What is your take on the Kenya media?
A. The Kenyan media is stereotyped and copy-cat. This confuses the consumers. The Kenya media has refused to recognise investing in human resources. My hope is to recruit the best professionals and pay them well to discharge their duties. My view is that the Kenyan media has for too long glorified mediocrity in its human resource pooling. I wish they can niche.
Q. Where do you see the Media7 Group in the next 10 years?
A. I see the Media7 Group being the pacesetter in professionalism with the best niche magazines, a TV station, and a respected socio- economic daily newspaper. I see myself achieving these even before 10 years elapse.