The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) has formally encouraged journalists, editors and other media practitioners to contest elective seats in the 2027 General Election, while at the same time warning against misuse of media platforms for political advantage.
In a statement released on Friday, MCK Chief Executive Officer and Secretary to the Council Mr. David Omwoyo said the country stands to benefit from leaders drawn from diverse professional backgrounds, including the media industry.
“Just like professionals from sectors such as law, engineering and medicine have successfully transitioned into leadership, media practitioners also have a role to play in governance and public service,” Omwoyo said.
However, the Council cautioned that journalists occupy a unique and influential position in society because they control platforms that shape public opinion and political discourse, making it necessary to uphold higher ethical standards during the election period.
To support interested practitioners, the Council announced plans to roll out a Special Governance Support Programme aimed at equipping journalists with leadership and policy skills necessary for effective political campaigns.
The MCK has also asked journalists planning to vie for political office to formally register their intentions through the Council’s official email.
At the same time, the Council revealed that it is finalising comprehensive Guidelines on Media Conduct and Reporting for the 2027 General Election to safeguard fairness, balance and objectivity in the media industry.
Among the proposed measures are mandatory resignation timelines for media practitioners seeking elective posts, immediate suspension from live hosting and reporting once political intentions are declared, and newsroom standards to ensure equal coverage for all candidates.
“The guidelines are intended to eliminate conflicts of interest and prevent political aspirants from exploiting their media influence to gain unfair advantage over competitors,” he said.
MCK further announced that it will convene a validation workshop with editorial leaders within the next 14 days to refine the proposed protocols before officially launching and gazetting the guidelines within 30 days.
Omwoyo reaffirmed the Council’s commitment to protecting the credibility of Kenyan journalism while allowing media professionals to transition into politics transparently and ethically.
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