Kenyan comedian and media entrepreneur Eddie Butita has emerged as one of the leading figures expressing interest in acquiring Edgar Obare’s digital platform, BNN, as competition grows among creatives seeking to expand their media portfolios.
Butita’s media company, Stage Presence Media (SPM) Africa, is reported to have taken formal steps to explore a possible acquisition of the controversial but influential gossip and commentary brand.
The development places SPM Africa among the most organised parties so far in what is shaping up to be a multi-interest pursuit of the platform.
BNN, short for Blogger News Network, has built a massive online following through entertainment news, exposés and trending commentary.
Sources indicate that SPM Africa has approved internal discussions aimed at evaluating BNN’s commercial value, audience reach and long-term sustainability. While no binding offer has been publicly confirmed, the move signals serious intent from Butita’s camp.
If completed, the acquisition would mark a significant expansion for SPM Africa, which has primarily focused on comedy, film production and branded digital content.
Adding BNN to its portfolio would give the company access to a large, already-engaged online audience, potentially strengthening its position in the digital media space.
Actor and filmmaker Abel Mutua and comedian Terence Creative have also publicly indicated interest in BNN, with reports suggesting they are open to purchasing a minority stake of up to 30 per cent in the platform.
Their interest points to the possibility of a shared ownership model rather than a full buyout by a single party.
While Mutua and Terence have not confirmed submitting formal offers, their public expressions of interest highlight the platform’s perceived value and influence within Kenya’s digital entertainment ecosystem.
Edgar Obare announced earlier that he was open to selling BNN in its entirety, including its brand, digital assets and social media platforms.
The decision followed significant legal and financial pressure, most notably a court ruling ordering him to pay Sh6 million in damages in a defamation case. Obare has described the sale as a strategic step toward resolving liabilities and repositioning himself professionally.
BNN’s appeal lies in its reach. The platform commands hundreds of thousands of followers across social media and plays a major role in shaping entertainment conversations in Kenya.
However, its history of controversy also presents challenges. The same content model that drove rapid growth has attracted criticism and legal scrutiny, raising questions about editorial control and content governance under new ownership.
Any buyer would likely need to balance maintaining audience engagement with implementing stricter editorial safeguards to minimise legal exposure.
As of now:
- No sale price has been made public
- No binding agreements have been announced
- The final ownership structure remains undecided
Negotiations are expected to continue privately as interested parties conduct evaluations and explore possible deal structures. Whether BNN ends up under single ownership or a consortium of creatives will depend on the terms Obare is willing to accept.