You’ve probably seen the bright blue and yellow branding at a newsstand in Nairobi or scrolled past their snappy headlines on X. Honestly, it’s hard to ignore. Since its loud entry into the Kenyan media scene back in 2007, The Star news Kenya has basically rewritten the rules of how we consume political gossip and hard-hitting investigative pieces. It didn't start as the powerhouse it is now. Back then, it was just the Nairobi Star, a 32-page tabloid that most people thought wouldn't last a year against the "Big Two" Goliaths.
Fast forward to 2026, and it’s a whole different story.
The Star has carved out a niche that’s kinda unique. While other legacy papers sometimes feel a bit stiff or overly formal, The Star leans into the chaos of Kenyan politics with a certain "tell-it-like-it-is" energy. It’s part of the Radio Africa Group, which explains the synergy you see with Kiss FM or Classic 105. They know how to grab your attention. But beyond the flashy headlines, there’s a lot of depth that most casual readers miss.
What Really Happens in the Corridors of Power?
If you ask any Kenyan political junkie why they visit the-star.co.ke, nine times out of ten, they’ll mention Corridors of Power. It’s arguably the most famous gossip column in the country. It’s where anonymous tips about stingy governors, "untouchable" businessmen, and lawmakers who disappear when the bill comes due go to live.
Critics often call it a "rumor mill," but here’s the thing: it’s often where the actual news starts.
💡 You might also like: Passive Resistance Explained: Why It Is Way More Than Just Standing Still
Journalists at The Star use this section to drop hints about things they can’t legally name just yet due to Kenya’s strict libel laws. You’ll see a post about a "senior politico from Central Kenya" doing something scandalous, and a week later, it’s a front-page headline elsewhere. It’s a clever way to keep the public informed while staying just inside the legal lines.
Why the digital shift changed everything
In late 2025 and heading into 2026, the paper has doubled down on its digital-first strategy. It’s not just about the physical paper anymore. With Kenya's smartphone penetration hitting over 83% by June 2025 (shoutout to the Communications Authority for those stats), the "Star News Kenya" experience has moved almost entirely to mobile.
They were one of the first major Kenyan outlets to really push the paywall model. Some people hated it. But if you want the "Premium" deep dives or the full Corridors of Power archives, you’ve gotta pay. It’s a risky move in a market where everyone wants free news, but it seems to be paying off in terms of editorial independence.
Who Is Actually Behind the Scenes?
The leadership at The Star has always been a bit more "bullish" than their competitors. For years, folks like Paul Ilado and more recently Bernard Momanyi (who moved over from Capital FM as Editorial Director) have steered the ship.
📖 Related: What Really Happened With the Women's Orchestra of Auschwitz
Under Momanyi, especially as we head toward the 2027 General Election cycle, the tone has shifted slightly. There’s a bigger focus on:
- Climate change and sustainability (they've dedicated huge sections to this lately).
- Governance and accountability (keeping a very close eye on the "Hustler Fund" and infrastructure projects).
- Fact-checking (crucial in 2026 because of how much fake news is flying around on TikTok and WhatsApp).
The Star at 18—which they celebrated in mid-2025—is a lot more mature than the scrappy tabloid that launched during the post-election crisis of 2007. They’ve survived criminal libel charges and being hauled into court for exposing how terrorists like Fazul Mohammed infiltrated the police. They aren't afraid of a fight.
Is The Star Kenya Actually Reliable?
This is where it gets nuanced. According to the Reuters Institute Digital News Report, The Star usually ranks a bit lower in "trust" scores compared to the Daily Nation or Citizen TV. Why? Because of that tabloid DNA.
People sometimes confuse the "Corridors of Power" gossip with their actual news reporting. But if you look at their investigative desk—run by veterans who’ve been in the game for decades—the facts are usually solid. They’ve been ahead of the curve on several major scandals involving parastatal chiefs and "ghost" workers in county governments.
👉 See also: How Much Did Trump Add to the National Debt Explained (Simply)
They aren't perfect. No newsroom is. But in an era where social media is flooded with "Deepfakes" and "influence peddlers," having a legacy brand that at least has a physical office in Westlands and real journalists you can hold accountable matters.
The 2026 Political Landscape
Right now, the paper is obsessed with the road to 2027. We’re seeing a lot of coverage on the shifting alliances between President Ruto and the new opposition factions. The Star is often the first to report on who is meeting who in secret hotels in Karen or Naivasha. If a "mousetrap" is being set for a politician, The Star is usually the one describing the cheese.
How to Get the Most Out of The Star
If you’re trying to stay informed in Kenya right now, you can’t just read the headlines. You’ve got to know how to navigate the noise.
- Check the Labels: Distinguish between "News," "Opinion," and "Corridors of Power." Don't cite a gossip column as a verified fact in a business meeting.
- Use the E-paper: If you’re a traditionalist, the digital replica of the print edition is often cleaner than the ad-heavy website.
- Verify the Graphic: Always check their official social media handles. In 2025, we saw a massive surge in "Fake Star Graphics" being used to spread propaganda. If it looks fishy, it probably is.
- Follow the Money: Look at their business section. While everyone is looking at the politics, The Star does a decent job of tracking the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) and the fintech boom in the "Silicon Savannah."
The Star News Kenya isn't just a newspaper; it's a reflection of the country—loud, slightly chaotic, deeply political, but always evolving. Whether you love their "bold" style or think they're a bit too much, they’ve become an essential part of the national conversation.
To stay ahead of the curve, sign up for their WhatsApp alerts. It’s the fastest way to get breaking news before it even hits the website, especially during high-stakes political moments. If you're serious about the 2027 election cycle, keeping an eye on their "Premium" long-reads is probably the best way to understand the underlying power dynamics that the 7 p.m. news usually skips over.