Religious leaders in Garissa have called on journalists, bloggers and social media content creators to exercise greater responsibility in their reporting and avoid content that could deepen political divisions as the country heads towards the 2027 General Election.
The call was made during a media engagement convened by Sheikh Feysal Mohamed Abdullahi at Maktaba Imam Malik in Garissa, bringing together journalists, bloggers, TikTokers and other social media influencers.
The clerics urged media practitioners to use their platforms to promote issues that contribute to the well-being and development of the community, including education, healthcare, peace and development.
A representative of the Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (SUPKEM) cautioned against the spread of hate speech, propaganda and unverified information, warning that such content could fuel tensions and create unnecessary divisions within the community.
Sheikh Feysal said the responsibility of informing the public extends beyond professionally trained journalists, noting that the growing influence of social media has made bloggers and content creators important sources of information for many people, particularly in areas where access to mainstream media remains limited.
He challenged those in the media space to verify information before publishing or sharing it, especially when dealing with politically sensitive issues.
“What we share has an impact on society. We must therefore be careful with our words and ensure that the information reaching the public is accurate and constructive.”
The meeting also addressed the growing role of social media in political discourse, with participants discussing the need for responsible coverage of politicians, public statements and political exchanges as the 2027 elections draw closer.
The engagement comes at a time when social media platforms are playing an increasingly influential role in shaping public opinion.
Participants noted that while these platforms provide an important avenue for public debate, they can also become channels for misinformation, propaganda and inflammatory content if not used responsibly.
The clerics and media practitioners agreed on the need to promote responsible communication, fact-checking and peaceful political discourse, particularly during the increasingly active political period ahead of the 2027 elections.
The message from the meeting was clear: inform, engage and hold leaders to account — but do so without fuelling division within the community.
