Six In 10 Journalists Face First Election Assignment As MCK Issues 2027 Guidelines

By Elijah Cherutich

Six in 10 journalists expected to cover Kenya’s 2027 General Election will be reporting on a general election for the first time, raising the need for early newsroom preparation, professional guidance and safety measures.

The issue came up today in Nakuru during the launch of the Media Council of Kenya’s Strategic Plan 2026–2030 and Guidelines for Election Coverage 2027.

Information, Communications and the Digital Economy Cabinet Secretary William Kabogo called on media houses and practicing journalists to follow the guidelines and provide fair, impartial election coverage.

Kabogo said the media would play a key role in shaping election narratives, adding that voters relied on journalists for objective information on political activities, candidates and campaign messages.

“I have scanned through the document we have launched and we should be able to protect the journalists who are going to cover the elections because their work is important to the delivery of elections,” he said.

He also urged journalists to remain neutral and objective, saying credible reporting would help Kenyans make informed decisions about their leadership and governance needs.

The new guidelines set professional, ethical and operational standards for coverage across the electoral cycle, including voter registration, nominations, campaigns, polling, vote tallying, the declaration of results and election disputes.

MCK chief executive David Omwoyo said the strategic plan and election guidelines were meant to address gaps in election reporting and guide journalism practice as technology plays a bigger role in the media industry.

He said journalists were central to national conversations and needed support and professional guidance to uphold the principles governing their work.

“In the coming general elections of 2027, we expect about 60% of the journalists covering the elections to be doing it for the first time and this guidelines is critical,” he added.

Kabogo later opened the Nakuru Media Hub, which will offer workspace and content production facilities for journalists, especially freelancers and others without permanent offices.

He said the government was also using technology to expand digital hubs across the country for freelancers and other Kenyans working in the digital economy.

Nakuru Journalists Association chairman Joseph Openda said the hub would help members without adequate working space to produce and distribute their content.