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Chagua · Civic education

Know your rights and spot false claims

Elections bring a flood of claims, many of them false or misleading. This page sets out your basic rights as a voter and gives you a checklist to test what you read before you believe it or share it.

Your rights as a voter

  • A free and fair election. The Constitution guarantees every citizen the right to free, fair and regular elections.
  • A secret ballot. The Constitution protects the secrecy of your vote. The IEBC has said that anything that breaks that secrecy, including photographing or recording a marked ballot paper, is an electoral offence, because it exposes voters to pressure and vote-buying.
  • Freedom from pressure. Nobody may force you or pay you to vote a certain way.
  • Access to information. Results forms and voting procedures are published so that you can check them.

What the rules do not allow

The Elections Act, the Election Offences Act and the Electoral Code of Conduct set out what candidates, parties, officials and voters may not do. On 20 August 2026, the IEBC published a Kenya Gazette notice that brought the Code of Conduct and the Election Offences Act into force for the 2027 election. The main things to know:

  • Bribery and "treating." Giving money, gifts or food to influence how someone votes.
  • Undue influence. Threatening, pressuring or intimidating voters or candidates.
  • Breaking ballot secrecy, including taking pictures of a marked ballot paper.
  • Campaigning outside the official period. The IEBC has said campaigns may run only from 29 May to 7 August 2027, between 7 am and 6 pm, and must stop 48 hours before polling day. It has warned that posters, caravans, billboards and other campaign activity outside that period are unlawful. Campaigning on polling day is not allowed.
  • Using public resources for campaigns. Under the gazetted rules, parties and candidates may not accept contributions from the State, State institutions or other public resources.
  • Hate speech and incitement, which are separate offences.

Election petitions in Kenya have often included allegations of bribery, treating and undue influence. If you see any of these, you can report them (see "Where to report").

A checklist for spotting false claims

Before you believe or share something about the election, ask:

  1. Who is the source? Is it the IEBC, a court, a named journalist or an official party statement? Or an unnamed account, a screenshot or a forwarded message?
  2. When was it posted? Old photos and old videos are often reused as if they were new.
  3. Where else is it reported? If only one page carries a dramatic claim, be cautious.
  4. Does it match the official record? Results should match the IEBC's published forms.
  5. Is it trying to make you angry or afraid? Content built to provoke is often built to mislead.
  6. Is it a "leaked" document? Check the official website before believing it.
  7. Have fact-checkers looked at it? Search the claim on a fact-checking site such as Africa Check or PesaCheck.
  8. Would you be comfortable if it was false and you had shared it? If unsure, don't forward it.

A special warning about results. Only the IEBC declares official results. Be wary of "results" quoted from unofficial tallies, parties' own counts or social media.

Trusted places to check

Where to report

  • Election offences or problems at a polling station: tell the IEBC presiding officer or returning officer, and report serious crimes to the police.
  • Complaints about the electoral process: the IEBC on (254) 020 2877000 or [email protected].
  • Hate speech: the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC).
  • A mistake on Chagua: [email protected], or use the "Request a correction" link on any profile.

Frequently asked questions

Can I take a picture of my ballot to prove how I voted? No. The IEBC has said this breaks ballot secrecy and is an electoral offence.

Is it illegal to share a false rumour about a candidate? Some false statements can break the law on defamation or hate speech, and sharing them can spread harm even when it is not a crime. When in doubt, check first.

Someone offered me money to vote for them. What should I do? Do not accept it. Offering or taking a bribe to influence a vote is an offence. Report it to the IEBC or the police.

Sources

Last reviewed: 21 September 2026. Spotted a mistake? Email [email protected].

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