IEBC chairperson Erastus Ethekon has appealed to the media to approach election coverage with honesty and balance, saying fair reporting is essential if the country is to maintain trust in its electoral systems.
He said the commission is ready to face tough questions but warned that inaccurate stories or harsh conclusions without proof only weaken a process already under pressure as the nation heads toward the 2027 polls.
Ethekon made the remarks on Saturday during the Gala Dinner, marking the close of the Kenya Editors’ Guild Annual Convention in Kilifi.
He told editors that the commission wants to be checked, but the scrutiny must rest on truth and clear evidence.
“You need to ask us to be factual and provide evidence when we err. When our politicians are involved, even in instances of violence, you should ask who is behind the goons,” he said.
He said media oversight plays a major role in shaping public attitudes, adding that fair judgement can help build confidence while unfair blame may lead voters to doubt the entire process.
“As we move forward, you play a crucial role. Hold us accountable for any oversights, but also give us credit when we get it right,” he said.
Ethekon noted that repeated negative reporting that lacks proper basis could drive down voter participation.
“When we see negative headlines about IEBC without merit, it’s concerning. We’re still in our infancy. Such narratives not only endanger us but also discourage fellow Kenyans from registering to vote. Questioning our integrity affects voter turnout. If this continues, voter turnout might dwindle to 40 per cent,” he told the gathering.
His appeal followed a difficult week for the commission, which was placed under sharp criticism after the November 27 by-elections.
The vote was marred by claims of violence, intimidation, bribery and ballot stuffing in some areas, leading to public attacks from Opposition leaders.
On polling day, United Opposition co-principal Rigathi Gachagua accused unnamed groups of trying to influence results.
“It is now clear that plans to stuff ballot papers are complete and our agents are being intimidated to subvert the sovereign will of the people,” he said.
The commission later dismissed the accusations, saying its officers conducted the mini-polls in a fair environment and applied the law when addressing any problems that arose.
But some Opposition leaders said the statement did not reassure the public.
Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka said the commission had failed to respond adequately.
“The response from IEBC has been weak and insufficient,” he claimed.
“The IEBC, by failing to address the genuine concerns raised by the Opposition and the Media—and by neglecting to put in place the necessary remedial measures—continues to cast a long shadow over its own independence. This new commission now stands accused, not by us alone, but by its actions, of presiding over a process whose credibility grows more questionable by the day.”
The Law Society of Kenya also faulted the commission a day after the vote, saying it should have acted on the warning signs seen before the by-elections.
"However, the reports of unbridled violence and unrest during the conduct of the by-elections indicate a worrying level of ill-preparedness on the part of the electoral stakeholders," LSK president Faith Odhiambo said.
Ethekon reminded editors that criticism is necessary, but it must be fair and grounded in truth so that public institutions are not weakened by narratives that lack proof.
He said the media’s responsibility as a watchdog must be carried out carefully to protect trust in the electoral process.
