The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) has issued a stern warning to journalists and media outlets against publishing unauthorised electoral opinion polls ahead of the country’s upcoming by-elections. In a media advisory released on Sunday, November 23, the council highlighted a surge in so-called “voodoo polls” informal surveys conducted via online platforms, call-ins, or social media that risk misleading the public and undermining the credibility of election coverage.
According to MCK, these polls do not meet the legal and professional standards set under the Publication of Electoral Opinion Polls Act, 2012, and violate the council’s Election Reporting Guidelines. The law explicitly prohibits the publication of electoral opinion poll results on the day of the election or during the five days immediately preceding it.
“The Act expressly provides that 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 advisory read.
The council emphasised that the warning applies not only to traditional media houses but also to online platforms, social media influencers, talk shows, and live broadcasts. Journalists and media organisations are urged to avoid conducting their own polls or sharing results obtained through unscientific methods.
“Statements gathered during live or pre-recorded vox-pop segments from people chosen at random are not scientific surveys,” MCK stressed, warning that such practices could place journalists in breach of both the law and their own editorial codes, potentially leading to sanctions for unethical conduct.
This intervention aims to safeguard the integrity of election reporting, prevent the spread of misinformation, and ensure voter perception is not skewed ahead of by-elections. MCK urged media practitioners to prioritise accuracy, verify information, and adhere strictly to legal and ethical standards.
“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 policies,” the council concluded.
As political activity intensifies ahead of the by-elections, MCK’s advisory serves as a crucial reminder for responsible and lawful journalism.
