Journalists who decide to run for political office in the 2027 General Election will have to give up several newsroom responsibilities once they become official candidates, according to new rules proposed by the Media Council of Kenya.
The guidelines restrict journalist candidates from presenting programmes on air, writing regular columns, gathering news directly and editing content during the electoral period.
MCK says the measures are intended to ensure journalists can pursue their political ambitions without compromising the credibility and independence expected of the media.
The Council said the rules are meant to balance the constitutional right of media practitioners to participate in politics with the need to maintain accuracy, fairness, impartiality, professional conduct and editorial independence.
The guidelines apply to journalists and other media practitioners who announce plans to contest an elective position, participate in party primaries or nomination exercises, receive a party nomination or assume political responsibilities that could result in a conflict with their media duties.
They also cover political activities and election-related material published, aired or distributed by journalists and media practitioners covered by the rules.
MCK requires media practitioners involved in politics to keep their personal political interests separate from their professional responsibilities. They must ensure their involvement in political activities does not affect the way they report, edit or present information.
Journalists will also be expected to reveal circumstances that could affect, or appear to affect, their ability to work independently and impartially.
"...disclose any circumstances that may reasonably be expected to compromise, or appear to compromise, the person's professional independence or impartiality," the guidelines state.
The rules prohibit journalist candidates from turning their professional standing, access to information, media platforms or confidential material obtained through their work into campaign tools.
They are also not allowed to use resources acquired through their media roles to promote a candidate, political party or partisan cause.
MCK has placed responsibility on media organisations to put safeguards in place whenever a journalist decides to enter politics. These may include moving the journalist to another role, keeping political work separate from newsroom assignments and restricting access to media resources that could be used during a campaign.
The guidelines further require media organisations to distinguish political advertising from ordinary editorial material. Records of sponsored political content must be maintained, while media houses are expected to take steps to identify deepfakes, cloned voices and other manipulated material that could affect candidates or the electoral process.
Journalists intending to seek elective office will be required to inform their employers and the Media Council of their candidature.
Those involved in party nomination contests will similarly be required to keep their political activities from interfering with their professional responsibilities.
"A journalist or media practitioner participating in a political party nomination process shall take reasonable measures to ensure that the person's political activities do not compromise the independence, fairness or impartiality of the person's professional media functions," MCK said.
After becoming an official candidate, a journalist cannot handle media assignments that relate directly to their campaign, put them in a conflict of interest or give them an advantage over other contestants.
The Council, however, has stopped short of requiring journalist candidates to quit their jobs. The proposed rules do not compel them to resign, end their contracts or surrender employment benefits simply because they have decided to seek political office.
The same standards will apply to freelance and independent journalists who become candidates. They will not be allowed to produce or distribute material designed to advance their campaigns where doing so could affect their professional independence.
Media organisations will also be required to maintain balance in their election coverage. Being a journalist, whether currently working in the industry or having previously worked in it, should not result in a candidate receiving more coverage or prominence than other contestants.
Political advertisements featuring journalist candidates must be presented clearly as paid campaign material. Such advertisements cannot use media house logos, branding or other material in a way that gives the impression that the organisation supports the candidate.
The guidelines also prohibit journalist candidates from using official social media accounts or digital platforms belonging to their media organisations to run campaigns.
MCK has opened the complaints process to anyone who believes the rules have been breached. Complaints linked to the election should be lodged during the electoral period or shortly after the alleged violation occurs.
The Council says complaints will be acknowledged within 24 hours, followed by an initial review within 72 hours. The assessment will establish whether the complaint falls within MCK's authority, whether there appears to be a violation and whether additional action is necessary.
Cases that could harm the electoral process if left unresolved may be handled on an urgent basis, although MCK said it will continue to observe fairness in dealing with complaints.
The Council said the guidelines recognise that journalists, editors and other media practitioners have a right to seek public office while acknowledging their influence over public debate and political discussions.
Stakeholders have until September 3, 2026, to submit their views on the guidelines to MCK's Regulatory Affairs department through [email protected].