By Jerry Abuga
The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) has been awarded the Electoral Cycle Champion Media Award by the Elections Observation Group (ELOG) in recognition of its outstanding contribution to ethical journalism and the fight against disinformation throughout Kenya’s electoral processes.
The honour was conferred on December 11, 2025 during a high-profile stakeholder meeting held in Nairobi to celebrate the observation group’s 15th anniversary. The event brought together election stakeholders, civil society leaders, diplomatic representatives, and media practitioners.
ELOG’s Electoral Cycle Champions Awards annually celebrate institutions and organisations that strengthen democratic governance across the full electoral timeline – from pre-election preparations through polling day and into the post-election period. The awards are structured around eight thematic pillars: voter education, voter registration, political party and campaign financing, media monitoring, legal reforms, electoral security, inclusion of marginalised groups, and election management and administration.
The MCK was specifically recognised under the Media Monitoring category for its systematic and impartial oversight of election-related coverage. Through its dedicated Media Monitoring Unit, the Council tracks broadcast, print, and digital content, identifies incidents of hate speech, misinformation, and unethical reporting, and issues timely corrective interventions.
During recent electoral cycles, the MCK has flagged doctored images, inflammatory language, and coordinated disinformation campaigns, often working in collaboration with fact-checking organisations to limit their reach before they could influence public opinion or incite violence.
Accepting the award, MCK Chief Executive Officer David Omwoyo emphasised that robust media monitoring is not an act of censorship but a defence of the public interest. “Our role is to ensure that Kenyans receive accurate, fair, and responsible coverage at the most critical moments of our democracy,” he said. “When journalists uphold professional standards, the entire electoral process benefits.”
The award underscores the increasingly vital role that independent media regulation plays in safeguarding electoral integrity in Kenya, particularly as digital platforms amplify both information and disinformation at unprecedented speed.
Jerry is the Manager, Corporate Communications & Public Affairs at the Media Council of Kenya
