Early Talks Between IEBC and Media Aim to Strengthen 2027 Poll Preparedness
In picture, IEBC commissioners, members of the Secretariat, and representatives from several key media bodies pose for a picture, during a consultative meeting with leaders from Kenya’s media sector in Nairobi
By Aoma Keziah,
In a move to foster stronger ties and improve transparency ahead of future elections, senior officials from the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) held a consultative meeting with leaders from Kenya’s media sector.
The roundtable brought together IEBC commissioners, members of the Secretariat, and representatives from several key media bodies. In attendance were leaders from the Kenya Editors’ Guild, the Kenya Union of Journalists, and the Kenya Media Think Tank,a group that includes some of the country’s most seasoned media professionals.
Erastus Ethekon, the Chairperson of IEBC, highlighted that they commit to engaging political parties and actors on these matters.
“ We have already scheduled a meeting with political parties to deliberate on how to manage rhetoric and safeguard national unity. On matters of budget and election costs, these are conversations we’ll continue having with Kenyans. We are already reviewing areas for optimization and will be proposing practical recommendations to reduce unnecessary expenditure while ensuring credibility,” he highlighted.
In her remarks, KEG President Zubeidah Kananu, noted that reflecting on 2022, meeting two years ahead of the polls aligns with one of the key lessons we learned then that early collaboration is critical for success.
“We urge that cost-cutting should never come at the expense of credibility or operational readiness,” she explained.
The meeting focused on reviewing how the Commission and the media worked together during the 2022 general elections. Participants also explored how to improve coordination and communication between the two parties as Kenya prepares for its next national vote.
“ Among these stakeholders, the media plays an especially critical role, not just in providing balanced and conflict-sensitive reporting, but also in pushing back against disinformation, hate speech, and potential threats to democracy,” said Felix Odhiambo, Executive Director Electoral Law and Governance Institute for Africa (ELGIA).
One of the main goals was to establish a more structured and lasting framework for cooperation. Those present agreed that better dialogue and a clearer understanding of roles could help avoid misinformation and confusion during critical moments in the electoral cycle.
“We fully recognize the immense role of the media in a functioning democracy. You inform, you question, you hold institutions accountable. You are not just observers of the electoral process, you are active participants and that’s why this engagement matters so much,” remarked Marjan Hussein Marjan, IEBC CEO.
As part of the Commission’s induction programme for new commissioners, the meeting also served to bring them up to speed on how the media landscape interacts with electoral processes. This included discussions on how journalists gather and report information, the pressures they face during election periods, and how the IEBC can support efforts to maintain public trust.
Participants described the conversation as candid and constructive. There was consensus that regular engagement between the Commission and media organizations should not be limited to election seasons, both sides agreeing to keep communication channels open and to hold more joint sessions in the lead-up to the next elections
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The Mt Kenya Times 
