The Communications Authority of Kenya (CAK) has laid down guidelines that journalists seeking elective posts should follow before the August 9 General Election.
This comes as civil servants seeking elective posts were directed to resign by February 9, 2022.
Through its Director-General Ezra Chiloba, CAK said that all journalists seeking elective posts should seek leave or the stations terminate their contracts.
Chiloba said journalists should resign by April 9, 2022 as gazetted by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
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The director general said this also applies to journalists employed or retained in any capacity by a political aspirant or a political party.
In its message to media houses, CAK urged broadcasters to strictly abide by IEBC guidelines when handling these journalists.
CAK further asked media houses to be objective in their reports on the General Election by giving equitable coverage to political parties during the electioneering period.
“If a person working on programmes for a station becomes a candidate or is employed or retained in any capacity by a political aspirant or a political party, he/she shall go on leave for the duration of the election period or his employment may be terminated by the station,”
“The authority requires broadcasting licensees to ensure that aspiring candidates associated with or employed by their stations take the required leave of office by April 9, 2022, as gazetted by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC),”
“Uphold the democratic principles of our nation especially during the electioneering period by providing equitable coverage and opportunities to political parties and candidates ensuring that broadcasting platforms are not misused to propagate hate speech, or to incite people to violence among others,” CAK said.
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