MCK Sets Rules For Journalists Eyeing 2027 Elections

By Suleiman Mbatiah

Journalists intending to contest elective seats in the 2027 elections will be required to step away from public-facing media roles under proposed guidelines aimed at preventing conflicts of interest and safeguarding balanced political coverage, the Media Council of Kenya (MCK) has announced.

The proposed framework will require journalists, broadcasters, editors and other media practitioners seeking elective office to progressively withdraw from newsroom responsibilities within specified timelines before the 2027 General Election, according to the council.

MCK Chief Executive Officer David Omwoyo said the guidelines are intended to protect fairness, objectivity and credibility in media coverage while allowing journalists to fully exercise their constitutional right to seek political leadership positions.

Omwoyo said journalists occupy influential platforms where political discourse, campaigns and policy debates are conducted, making it necessary to establish safeguards that prevent media professionals from gaining unfair electoral advantages over competing candidates.

“We welcome journalists into politics because leadership is not reserved for any profession, but the integrity of the media must remain protected through clear rules that guarantee fairness for everyone participating in the electoral process,” Omwoyo said at a session with journalists in Nakuru.

The council noted that journalists regularly interrogate public policy, government decisions and political leadership, placing them among professionals whose experience can contribute meaningfully to governance at both county and national levels.

According to Omwoyo, the proposed rules draw parallels with existing requirements governing civil servants, who must resign from public office before seeking elective positions to avoid conflicts of interest and misuse of institutional influence.

The guidelines will establish multiple transition stages, including deadlines for withdrawing from public-facing programmes, television broadcasts and radio shows before eventually leaving newsroom operations entirely as political activities intensify ahead of elections.

“If you are on television or radio discussing governance every day, there must be a point when you leave the microphone and the screen so that all candidates compete on an equal platform,” he said.

The council plans to conduct public participation and stakeholder validation forums involving media owners, editors and industry leaders before formally adopting the guidelines expected to be launched within the next 30 days.

The proposed framework expands election reporting guidelines issued during the 2022 General Election and introduces specific provisions addressing journalists and media professionals who directly participate in electoral contests and political campaigns.

Omwoyo said interested journalists will also be encouraged to register with the council for advisory support, communication planning and guidance on complying with professional requirements while transitioning from journalism into elective leadership.

The announcement comes amid growing speculation that several prominent Kenyan media personalities are considering bids for parliamentary, senatorial and gubernatorial positions during the 2027 General Election.

Among those linked to elective politics is Citizen TV senior political reporter Stephen Letoo, who has been associated with the Kilgoris parliamentary race in Narok County, although he has not formally declared his candidacy.

Citizen TV Swahili news anchor Lulu Hassan has also been linked to the Mvita parliamentary seat in Mombasa County following sustained community engagements and growing political speculation surrounding her future ambitions.

Radio Citizen Head of Radio Tina Ogal has publicly expressed interest in contesting the Embakasi East parliamentary seat, while Inooro TV journalist Michael Njenga has declared intentions to seek the Kabete parliamentary position.

Other media figures associated with possible 2027 bids include Radio 47 presenter Alex Mwakideu, who has been linked to the Kilifi gubernatorial contest, and former Citizen TV presenter Willis Raburu, who has expressed interest in the Kisumu Senate seat.

Kenya has previously witnessed successful transitions from media into politics, including Lang’ata Member of Parliament Phelix Odiwuor, popularly known as Jalang’o, and former broadcaster Salid Mustafa, who served as Kilifi South MP.

Former radio presenter Dorice Donya Aburi also successfully entered elective politics after leaving broadcasting, eventually winning the Kisii Woman Representative seat in the 2022 General Election following an earlier unsuccessful attempt.

Omwoyo said the council’s objective is not to lock journalists out of politics but to create a transparent pathway that protects professional standards, public confidence and electoral fairness while supporting legitimate political participation.