How Media Houses Made Money From Kenya’s First Presidential Debate

The Presidential Debate went into history books as the most watched show ever in Kenya. Having been extensively advertised, the debate attracted exorbitant advertisements on the organizers part and it was expected that it would be a cash cow for media houses but that was not the case.

Apparently the cost for a 30 seconds advertisement was Sh. 500,000 and since the advertisements were featured thrice each it cost at least Sh. 1.5 million each. However, the media houses did not gain much as the money was distributed among all of them.

With Kenya Airways, IEBC, Indomie noodles and Uwiano being the only companies that placed advertisements, thanks to the large amounts charged for the advertisements, the proceeds was not that much and most of it went into production costs like in the case of Citizen TV.

Nevertheless, looking at its major success, the second Presidential debate will definitely be charging higher and may attract more advertisements. However, the debate is already being faced with a challenge after Jubilee’s presidential candidate has withdrawn.

 [The Kenyan Daily Express]