IEBC, Media Bodies Forge Stronger Partnership Ahead of 2027 Elections


IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon issuing his address to the media

By Cynthia Masibo 

Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) and media stakeholders have committed to strengthening collaboration ahead of the 2027 General Election, in a bid to enhance transparency, public trust, and the safety of journalists during the electoral process.

The engagement forum, convened by the Kenya Editors’ Guild in partnership with the Electoral Law and Governance Institute for Africa, brought together senior IEBC officials, editors, and representatives from the Media Council of Kenya (MCK). Discussions focused on improving information sharing, updating cooperation frameworks, and addressing the growing impact of technology and artificial intelligence on election coverage.

Opening the session, IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon underscored the need to “learn from the past to better prepare for the future.” He outlined a five‑point commitment by the Commission, including early and structured engagement with the media, renewal of the existing Memorandum of Understanding to reflect new realities, joint training initiatives, improved access to timely and accurate data, and ensuring journalists operate in a safe, professional environment.

The meeting resolved to review and modernize the IEBC–media MoU to account for the challenges posed by the digital information space. Participants also agreed to establish regular training programmes for journalists and election officials to deepen understanding of electoral processes and counter the spread of misinformation during campaigns.

Addressing concerns over voter identification, Ethekon confirmed that the Biometric Voter Registration (BVR) system will remain in use for 2027, ruling out proposals to allow voting with national ID cards alone. He noted that such a change could undermine the integrity of the process, particularly in border regions.

On the election timeline, IEBC officials reaffirmed that the 2027 General Election will proceed as scheduled in August, barring contrary orders from the courts. Dates for upcoming by‑elections will be announced later this week, with all polls expected to conclude by the end of the year.

Discussions also touched on the need for legal clarity regarding early campaigns, with the Commission consulting the Attorney General to define thresholds for political activity outside the official campaign period.

Participants agreed that proactive engagement between electoral managers and the media is essential to ensuring public confidence in the electoral process. Both sides pledged to maintain open lines of communication, prioritize transparency, and support a professional environment for election coverage.

The forum ended with a joint commitment to hold more regular consultative meetings in the run‑up to 2027, positioning the media as a key partner in delivering credible, peaceful, and inclusive elections.


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