MCK sends warning to journalists and media outlets ahead of November 27 by-elections
By David Nthua, November 24, 2025The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) has issued a sharp warning to journalists, media houses and online content creators just days before Kenyans head to multiple by-elections on Thursday, November 27, 2025.
In a strongly worded advisory released on Sunday, November 23, 2025, the council cautioned that publishing or conducting unauthorised and unscientific opinion polls is illegal.
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The reminder comes as political activity intensifies in Mbeere North, Magarini, Kariobangi North, Malava, Kasipul and several other areas preparing for Thursday’s crucial minipolls.
According to MCK, the growing trend of “voodoo polls” on social media, talk shows and call-in programs has become a serious threat to responsible election reporting.
“Such practices violate the Publication of Electoral Opinion Polls Act, 2012, and contravene the MCK Election Reporting Guidelines,” the MCK statement reads.
The council emphasised that instant online polls, often conducted through quick prompts, live comments, or spontaneous studio interactions, fail to meet the legal threshold required for electoral opinion research.
It noted that the law expressly prohibits the publication of any electoral opinion poll results during the five days leading to an election, a period that is already in effect.
“A person shall not publish the results of any electoral opinion poll on the day of the election or during the period of five days immediately preceding the date of the election,” the Act states.
MCK further stressed that the same rules apply to social media platforms, including X, Facebook, TikTok and YouTube.
The Guidelines instruct journalists and media outlets to “refrain from conducting opinion polls and publishing results on their social media platforms.”
The advisory clarifies that even casual public interviews must not be passed off as scientific data.
The statement adds that “statements gathered during live or pre-recorded vox-pop segments from people chosen at random are not scientific surveys.”
November 27 by-elections beckon
With tension rising in battleground constituencies, such as Malava, where UDA’s David Ndakwa faces off with DAP-K’s Seth Panyako, and Mbeere North, where local campaigns have gained momentum, MCK says journalists must remain vigilant and uphold ethical standards.
Media outlets have been urged to avoid practices that could mislead voters or breach the law during this sensitive electoral period.
“Journalists and media organisations are therefore urged to desist from any practices that would place them in breach of the law, professional ethical standards, or their own in-house editorial policies,” the statement reads.
The council ended its advisory by reaffirming its commitment to safeguarding responsible journalism and credible reporting ahead of the mini-elections.