NAIROBI, Kenya, November 23, 2025— The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) has warned media outlets, journalists and online content creators against conducting or publishing unscientific and unauthorised election-related opinion polls ahead of the November 27 by-elections, saying the practice is illegal and violates electoral laws.
In a statement released on Sunday, MCK said the growing trend of “voodoo polls”, instant call-ins and online snap surveys does not meet the legal and professional standards required by the Publication of Electoral Opinion Polls Act, 2012. The council reminded journalists that the law expressly bans the publication of any opinion poll results during the five days immediately before an election.
“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 Act states.
The council added that its Election Reporting Guidelines apply fully to modern formats such as social media polls, livestreams, recorded vox pops, talk shows and phone-in programmes. The guidelines require journalists and media houses to refrain from conducting or sharing opinion polls that are not based on scientific methodology.
According to MCK, statements gathered from random individuals—especially through social media or informal audience engagements—do not constitute credible research and risk misleading the public during an election period.
The council urged media organisations to immediately cease publishing such content, warning that non-compliance could breach the law, violate ethical standards, and undermine their own editorial policies. It further emphasised the need for responsible reporting to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process.
