Ebru Tv previously owned by Turkey nationalities has been bought by Kenyan tycoon Ali Jamah, in what reports indicate to be a secret deal running into hundreds of millions.
Following the buyout, Jamah’s wife Anab Mohammed who was working at the United States International University (USIU) resigned to take over as the Operations Manager for Ebru.
According to a local blogger privy to the dealings at the Lavington based station, selling stake to strategic local partners was part of Ebru TV’s strategy to remain in business by accessing funds for operations, including hiring and retaining talented presenters and reporters as well as modern studio equipment.
The blogger reveals that the new owners have overhauled management and the newsroom leadership. Among the beneficiaries is Victoria Amunga, who was promoted from anchor to head of news.
Due to financial difficulties that hit most broadcasters last year, the station was put on sale which attracted five local buyers, with Deputy President William Ruto-owned media house Media Max being in the front line.
Ebru started about six years ago in Kenya after the owner fled Turkey in what reports says he was associated in a coup that happened in the country.
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Ebru Kenya’s parent company Samanyolu closed operations after the coup. Samanyolu TV is an international TV station with headquarters in Istanbul, Turkey, with successful operations in the US.
On 19 July 2016, its license was revoked and the channel closed by the Radio and Television Supreme Council of Turkey due to alleged links with the 2016 Turkish coup d’état attempt. A total of 131 media organisations were shut following the July 15 failed coup.
Its management, though, say Ebru has its roots in the United States. When it started, Ebru was majority-owned subsidiary of Samanyolu Broadcasting Company (SBC), the international media corporation with headquarters in the United States and operations in German
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