NAIROBI, Kenya- Citizen TV journalists planning to join active politics ahead of the 2027 General Election have been directed to resign from the station by the end of June, in line with Royal Media Services (RMS) editorial and conflict-of-interest policies.
Sources familiar with the matter say the directive was issued by the management board amid growing speculation that several high-profile journalists and presenters are considering bids for elective seats in the next elections.
“They were called one by one and issued with the same directives,” a source told Y News.
The move mirrors a long-standing media industry practice requiring journalists seeking political office to leave newsroom roles to preserve editorial independence and avoid conflicts of interest.
Although RMS has not publicly released an official statement on the latest directive, similar instructions were issued ahead of the 2022 General Election when staff eyeing political positions were ordered to tender resignations months before the polls.
The development comes amid increased political interest among Kenyan journalists, with several media personalities reportedly weighing bids for parliamentary, gubernatorial and county assembly seats ahead of 2027.
The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) has previously maintained that journalists intending to run for political office should resign early enough to avoid compromising professional ethics and public trust.
Kenya has over the years, witnessed a growing trend of journalists transitioning into politics and government communication roles.
Among former Citizen TV journalists who previously crossed into public service and politics include Hussein Mohamed, who became State House Spokesperson under President William Ruto’s administration, and Kanze Dena, who served as State House spokesperson during former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s tenure.
