The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) has encouraged journalists, editors and other media practitioners interested in elective politics to contest in the 2027 General Election, while outlining measures aimed at protecting journalistic integrity during the election period.
In a press release issued on Friday, the Council said professionals from the media industry should be allowed to participate in leadership in the same way other sectors contribute expertise to governance.
“The Council believes that in the same way the legislative and executive arms of governance benefit from the diverse expertise from professionals from other sectors including law, engineering, and medicine, national leadership thrives on multi-sectoral representation,” read a statement by MCK Chief Executive Officer and Secretary to the Council David Omwoyo.
The Council, however, noted that journalists and media practitioners hold a unique position because they control platforms and narratives that shape public opinion and political discourse.
It said this requires stricter safeguards to prevent conflicts of interest and ensure fairness in political competition ahead of the 2027 polls.
To support media practitioners seeking political office, MCK said it is developing a Special Governance Support Programme aimed at equipping them with leadership and policy skills for political campaigns.
The Council also invited journalists and media practitioners planning to vie for political office to formally register their intentions with the Council through email.
At the same time, MCK said it is finalising Guidelines on Media Conduct and Reporting for the 2027 General Election to guide journalists seeking elective positions and media houses covering the polls.
According to the Council, the guidelines will include mandatory resignation timelines for political aspirants leaving active newsroom roles, suspension of live hosting and reporting duties for practitioners who declare political intentions, and standards requiring media houses to provide fair and balanced coverage to all candidates.
“To eliminate conflicts of interest and prevent aspirants from using their media platforms for unfair advantage, the MCK is finalising comprehensive Guidelines on Media Conduct and Reporting for the 2027 General Election,” the statement said.
The Council said it will hold a validation workshop with editorial leaders within the next 14 days before officially launching and gazetting the guidelines within 30 days.
MCK said the measures are intended to support democratic participation by media professionals while protecting public trust in the media industry during the electoral period.
