MCK unveils 2027 election coverage guidelines as media preparations begin

The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) has introduced its Strategic Plan 2026–2030 and Election Coverage Guidelines 2027 as preparations for the upcoming General Election intensify. The Council inaugurated the Nakuru Media Hub on August 14, 2026, to enhance regional media operations and bring media development, training, and regulatory services closer to journalists.

At the Nakuru launch, government officials, media leaders, and other stakeholders gathered to discuss measures aimed at supporting professional and responsible journalism ahead of the 2027 elections. Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communications and the Digital Economy William Kabogo Gitau noted that the Strategic Plan offers a framework to enhance professional standards, institutional independence, and public confidence in journalism.

He urged media organizations to adopt the new election coverage guidelines early and incorporate them into their editorial processes to ensure accurate, fair, and balanced reporting. Cabinet Secretary Gitau also highlighted the evolving information landscape, emphasizing the potential dangers of Artificial Intelligence-generated misinformation and the importance of responsible technology use in maintaining public trust.

MCK Chairman Maina Muiruri emphasized that the Strategic Plan, election guidelines, and the Nakuru Media Hub are vital steps in strengthening the media sector, with their success measured by the environment created for journalists, the freedoms protected, and the public's trust in the media. MCK CEO David Omwoyo likened the election guidelines to a "seatbelt" for journalists navigating election period pressures, warning against the compromise of credibility in the race to break news.

The Kenya Editors Guild, Kenya Union of Journalists, and other media stakeholders signed a stakeholder commitment form supporting professional and responsible election coverage. The Council subsequently commissioned the Nakuru Media Hub, which will provide training, collaboration, content development, and regulatory services to journalists beyond the capital's media centers.