The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) on Tuesday held a consultative meeting with a delegation from the Media Council of Kenya (MCK), with discussions focusing on the role of the media in promoting accurate electoral reporting and rebuilding public trust ahead of upcoming elections.
The MCK delegation, led by Board Chairperson Maina Muiruri and Chief Executive Officer David Omwoyo, was received by IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon at the Commission’s offices in Nairobi. The visit comes amid preparations for 23 scheduled by-elections and the Commission’s plans to conduct a nationwide Continuous Voter Registration exercise.
In his remarks, Mr. Ethekon emphasised the media’s influential role in shaping public perception and called on journalists and media institutions to prioritise factual and responsible electoral reporting. “Trust is a collective responsibility, especially for the media due to its powerful influence. Trust cannot be bought,” said the IEBC Chair.
The Commission is seeking to develop a framework to guide media engagement and reporting ahead of the 2027 General Election. Ethekon underscored the need for consistent collaboration with media practitioners to improve transparency and electoral literacy among the public.
Commissioner Dr. Alutalala Mukwana, who chairs the Commission’s Voter Education, Partnerships, Communication and Stakeholder Engagement Committee, noted that the timing of the MCK visit reflects the urgency of addressing misinformation. He urged media actors to support the IEBC in combating the spread of false information through objective coverage of electoral processes.
Mr. Muiruri welcomed the engagement with IEBC’s new leadership, citing the need to revitalise media–electoral commission cooperation amid rising political activity. Mr. Omwoyo also acknowledged the Commission’s efforts to provide credible data to journalists, which he said is essential for informed reporting.
No formal agreements were signed during the meeting, but both institutions expressed willingness to strengthen cooperation in the lead-up to the 2027 polls.
