Editors put candidate scrutiny and journalist safety on the road to 2027

Kenya Editors Guild president Zubeida Koome has called on newsrooms to put candidates’ promises and performance under sustained scrutiny ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Speaking at the launch of the guild’s annual convention, reported by The Star on 18 September, Koome urged journalists to remain accurate, independent and objective. Her message placed the examination of political records alongside coverage of the campaign itself.

The convention is scheduled for 25–29 November in Mombasa. Its election-focused programme will examine the pressures facing journalism as political competition intensifies. Koome also urged media organisations to invest in training, equipment and safety gear for their staff.

The Media Council of Kenya said it would support an election-preparedness workshop in Mombasa before the convention. Kenya News Agency’s subsequent report highlighted the guild’s concerns about misinformation, disinformation and pressure on the media.

For readers, the practical distinction is between repeating a campaign claim and establishing what supports it. The announced convention and training are preparations for that work; their launch does not demonstrate that every newsroom already has the resources to carry it out.