In today's digital age, access to information has become a fundamental right, with Article 35 of the Constitution granting citizens access to information held by the State and, in specified circumstances, by another person when needed to exercise or protect a right or fundamental freedom. The Access to Information Act requires public entities to facilitate that access, recognizing that people cannot participate meaningfully in public life without the information needed to understand decisions, question authority and make informed choices.
However, having access to information does not guarantee an informed public. Information may exist but be hard to obtain, arrive too late, or be presented in ways that are difficult to understand. Even credible information competes online with content designed to provoke, mislead or attract attention. Misinformation and disinformation thrive not only because falsehoods exist, but also where reliable information is unavailable, difficult to verify or published after a false narrative has taken hold.
The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) is working to promote information integrity and freedom of expression. As Kenya approaches the 2027 General Election, the MCK is engaging public institutions, training journalists and strengthening professional standards to ensure that the media provides accurate, responsible and useful information. The MCK's work on election coverage, digital responsibility, AI and verification helps the media provide reliable material.
The challenge is no longer simply finding information, but judging what is credible, incomplete, unverified or deliberately manipulated. Technology complicates this environment, as artificial intelligence can support research, verification and access, but can also generate convincing false content at scale. Social media widens participation while allowing misleading claims to travel faster than corrections.
Citizens also have a role to play in promoting information integrity. Media and information literacy helps people validate claims, distinguish fact from opinion, recognise manipulation and consult reliable sources before accepting or sharing content. This is especially important as Kenya approaches the 2027 General Election, where timely, credible information is essential for citizens assessing candidates, issues, public decisions and the electoral process.
The International Day for Universal Access to Information, marked on September 28, highlights the importance of access to information and the reliability of what people access. The 2026 theme, 'Upholding information integrity in the digital age: The role of access to information in addressing information disorder,' links the right to information with the reliability of what people access. The MCK's commemoration in Nairobi offers an opportunity to assess implementation of this right and the improvements still required.
Ultimately, universal access means enabling citizens to find authoritative information, question it and use it to participate meaningfully in governance. The broader task is to move beyond policy and ensure that citizens have the skills and knowledge to access and use information effectively. By doing so, Kenya can ensure that access to information is not just a right, but a reality that benefits all citizens.
Key points
- Access to information is a fundamental right that is essential for citizens to participate meaningfully in public life.
- The Media Council of Kenya is working to promote information integrity and freedom of expression.
- Citizens have a role to play in promoting information integrity through media and information literacy.
