By Eddah Waithaka
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) and Kenya’s media stakeholders have pledged deeper collaboration to ensure transparent, accurate, and secure coverage of the 2027 general elections.
During a high-level consultative meeting in Nairobi on Wednesday, IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethicon emphasized the media’s critical role in safeguarding democracy.
“You are not just observers, you are active participants in Kenya’s electoral process,” he told editors, journalists, and media association leaders.
In the recent meeting, participants highlighted key takeaways aimed at ensuring a smooth electoral process.
Both parties committed to finalizing election guidelines, voter education campaigns, and journalist training programs well in advance to avoid last-minute hurdles.
To combat the rise of misinformation fueled by AI and social media, the IEBC and media unions will implement verification protocols to curb false reporting effectively.
Additionally, there are plans to centralize media tallying centers and provide a shared broadcast feed to prevent conflicting result announcements.
Lastly, the commission emphasized its commitment to increasing participation among women, youth, and persons with disabilities in both voter registration and polling, promoting inclusivity throughout the electoral process.
Kenya Editors Guild President Zubeida Kananu acknowledged progress made in 2022 but stressed unresolved challenges, “Delayed accreditation, security gaps, and inadequate staffing hampered coverage. We must fix these now.”
IEBC CEO Hussein Marjan confirmed that the electoral calendar, including boundary reviews and voter registration will be released soon.
“Transparency builds trust. We are committed to working openly with the media,” he said.
The meeting concluded with plans for a technical workshop to review expired MOUs and draft new agreements.
“Democracy thrives when institutions and the media work together,” said Felix Ooro of the Kenya Union of Journalists.
With 2027 on the horizon, stakeholders left with a unified message. Kenya’s elections must be free, fair and accurately reported.
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