Kenya’s media landscape is experiencing a steady shift as prominent journalists and news anchors prepare to move from reporting on politics to actively seeking elective office in the 2027 General Election.
For some, that shift has already translated into declared political ambitions. Others are making public appearances, engaging communities and testing the waters ahead of the General Election.
Letoo among journalists linked to politics
Citizen TV political reporter Stephen Letoo is one of the journalists whose name has increasingly been associated with the 2027 race.
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Letoo has been linked to the Kilgoris parliamentary seat in Narok County. An opinion poll by Politrack Africa earlier this year placed him prominently among potential contenders.
However, reports noted that he had not formally declared his candidacy at the time.
His case highlights the changing position of political journalists, who spend years interviewing politicians, analyzing campaigns and travelling across constituencies before potentially seeking elective office themselves.
Trevor Ombija moves closer to the ballot.
Trevor Ombija has gone further.
The Citizen TV journalist has been linked to the Nyakach parliamentary seat for some time, with reports tracing his interest back to 2024.
His political ambitions have since become more visible, with recent reports indicating that he has officially entered the 2027 race and begun positioning himself for the Nyakach contest.
Ombija’s experience in journalism has given him years of exposure to political leaders and public issues, while his community activities have also helped build his profile outside the newsroom.
Lulu Hassan and Mwanahamisi Hamadi
The potential movement is not limited to male journalists.
Citizen TV Swahili anchor Lulu Hassan has been linked to a possible bid for the Mvita parliamentary seat. Reports of her political ambitions first gained attention after campaign-themed T-shirts associated with her surfaced online in 2025.
Mwanahamisi Hamadi has also emerged in discussions around the 2027 elections, with reports linking her to the Likoni MP race.
In May 2026, Hamadi was reported to have spoken about issues affecting residents in Likoni, including development and discrimination, further fuelling speculation about a political future.
Why journalists are making the shift
The transition is not entirely new in Kenya. Journalists have long moved into politics after building public profiles through media.
What stands out ahead of 2027 is how early some media personalities are becoming part of political conversations.
Years spent interviewing leaders can give journalists familiarity with public policy, political messaging and constituency concerns. Their visibility can also give them an advantage in name recognition.
But the move comes with a difficult question: can a journalist maintain the credibility associated with reporting politics after becoming a political actor?
As more media personalities position themselves for elective office, the 2027 election could test where the line between covering political power and seeking it should be drawn.
