Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Noordin Haji on Wednesday came to the rescue of media houses who have been denied payments for Sh2.5 billion advertising services offered to government agencies.

Haji ordered the Director of Criminal Investigation (DCI) to conduct an investigation on the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology.

He further directed that he be served with a detailed report within 21 days for action.

The ministry, through the Government Advertising Agency (GAA), has taken advertising space worth more than Sh2.5 billion which it has delayed to pay.

Falling revenues

Media houses in Kenya have been struggling with falling revenue which has further been exacerbated by the failure of the government to pay advertising bills.

The Nation Media Group, Standard Media Group, and Media Max, have been particularly hit with the delayed payments as government adverts contribute to about 30 percent of their revenue.

Standard Group is claiming Sh931 million from the government, Nation is asking for Sh835 million, while Media Max Network is yet to recover Sh462 million from the financial year ended June 2018.

Royal Media services and the Star newspaper are demanding Sh60 million and Sh423 million respectively.