NAIROBI, Kenya – President William Ruto has appointed Stephen Isaboke as the Principal Secretary (PS) for Broadcasting, bringing a wealth of experience from the media, entertainment, and corporate sectors to his new role.
Isaboke, a seasoned executive with over three decades of experience, has spent much of his career in media, telecommunications, and regulatory affairs across Africa.
Until his appointment, he served as the Group Executive for Regulatory and Government Affairs at MultiChoice Group, overseeing operations in 48 countries across Sub-Saharan Africa from Dubai.
Beyond his corporate leadership, Isaboke is a key figure in Kenya’s media landscape. He has held several strategic positions, including:
- Chairman and Non-Executive Director of GOtv Kenya Ltd, a subsidiary of MultiChoice Africa Holdings.
- Director at Aura Kenya, a tech-driven emergency response service provider.
His career includes stints as Managing Director and later Regional Director for East Africa at MultiChoice Africa, where he played a pivotal role in expanding pay-TV and digital content access across the region.
With expertise spanning FMCG, pharmaceuticals, oil and gas, media, and technology, Isaboke has built a strong network across private and government sectors in multiple African countries.
As the new PS for Broadcasting, Isaboke is expected to leverage his deep industry experience and regulatory knowledge to steer Kenya’s broadcasting sector.
His appointment comes at a time when the government is ramping up efforts to digitize media services, streamline regulations, and promote local content development.
A Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing (UK) and a member of the Institute of Directors (Kenya), Isaboke also has a history of involvement in sports and philanthropy, having served on the Harambee Stars Management Board and Operation Smile Kenya, a non-profit providing free cleft lip and palate surgeries.
As he takes office, Isaboke will be tasked with navigating Kenya’s rapidly evolving broadcasting landscape, addressing issues such as media regulation and press freedom, the transition to fully digital broadcasting, monetization challenges in local content production, and expanding access to quality broadcasting across all counties.
