09/06/2026
March 1990, a Kisii tycoon Jared Kangwana founded Kenya Television Network (KTN) to challenge the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation's (KBC) monopoly. At the time, KANU strongman Daniel arap Moi was in power and the state controlled news programming. Kangwana wanted to change the narrative by establishing KTN which became the first independent broadcaster. After its launch, the station began airing programmes from international media outlets such as CNN and MTV. It started getting advertisements and got a breakthrough in 1992 when it secured a bid to show the Summer Olympics and other international events. It's reported that Kangwana soon ran into headwinds against the KANU regime which began sanctioning the station.
Moi's government pressured the businessman to censor government-related news or surrender the station. Kangwana remained defiant but in 1993 police officers prevented him from travelling abroad and destroyed his passport. He disclosed the move was part of the government's strategy to make him cede control of the station. The tycoon finally gave up and surrendered KTN to the regime.
In 1995, the station under Standard Group was acquired by the Moi family and close associates.
The businessman has invested in real estate through Anglo-African Property Holdings (AAPPH) with net assets estimated at over KSh 2.4 billion.
He owned The Mall in Westlands. The Mall is located in Westlands, Nairobi city along Ring Road. It features office spaces from 400 square feet to 3,300 square feet . It houses a branch of Naivas Supermarket, the largest retailer in Kenya with over 90 stores. The Mall also has a coffee shop, restaurant and clothing boutiques.
Chester House Chester House in the Nairobi central business district (CBD) along Koinange Street is another property owned by Kangwana. According to its websites, it hosts lounges, a swimming pool, restaurants and apartments. A one-bedroom standard single, for example, costs $60 (KSh 8,190) per night.
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