MCK unveils plan to guide journalists eyeing 2027 polls

By Ruth Nganga

The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) has formally encouraged journalists, editors, photographers, producers, and other media practitioners to vie for elective positions in the 2027 General Election, describing it as a constitutional right and an opportunity to apply their skills in leadership.

MCK Chief Executive Officer David Omwoyo delivered the message while addressing the media on Friday, May 29, 2026, at the Rift Valley Sports Club in Nakuru.

“Leadership and governance are a collection of skills. When you look at the formation of cabinets, you see the development of all the skills,” said Omwoyo.

He emphasized that participating in politics is a right protected by the Constitution. However, the Council warned that special guidelines are necessary because media platforms serve as key arenas for political campaigns, policy promotion, and public discourse.

Avoid conflict of interests

He drew a parallel with regulations governing civil servants, who must step aside to avoid conflicts of interest when seeking political office. He noted that media owners and practitioners who remain active in newsrooms while pursuing politics could gain unfair advantages over competitors.

“To protect the integrity of the media, especially fairness, objectivity, and balance, we have to issue special guidelines that allow those journalists to exercise their political rights to stand for political positions without being disadvantaged,” he said.

The Council plans to build on the election reporting guidelines. The new framework will expand to cover both election coverage and the participation of media professionals in active politics. It will outline three key levels of conduct, including timelines for leaving the newsroom and ceasing production of public-facing programmes.

Clear pathway for aspiring political leaders

He emphasized that media professionals interested in politics are encouraged to register with the Council for assistance in planning and communications. A validation workshop involving editorial leadership is scheduled within the next two weeks, with the final guidelines expected to be launched within 30 days.

“This allows us to provide a clear pathway long before we start the one-year deadline countdown to the elections on how media should not just report, but also how they should participate,” he said.

The CEO stressed that the initiative aims to support aspiring media leaders without chasing them out of the newsroom, while safeguarding the profession’s integrity and ensuring a level playing field for all contenders.

The move comes as Kenya prepares for the 2027 polls, with many professionals across sectors expected to test their popularity in both national and county leadership races.