Fake news and all the risks associated with it are an integral part of Africa's political, social, and economic landscape. They pose one of the greatest threats to the continent's young democracies, which may only get worse with the rapidly improving technology. Therefore, the upcoming 2027 elections in Kenya represent more than just a possible transition of power. They represent a critical juncture for the country's democratic stability, fundamentally tested by an escalating crisis of disinformation, misinformation and malinformation. In academic literature, “fake news” is more precisely defined as “information disorder”. It is categorized into three types based on falsity and intent. Misinformation involves false content shared without harmful intent, while disinformation consists of deliberately fabricated narratives designed to deceive. Malinformation refers to factual information weaponized to inflict harm, often used to undermine the professional credibility of individuals. In recent years, Kenya's media landscape has experienced a seismic shift, by becoming the dominant arena for public discourse, with social media platforms serving as the foundational sources of information. However, this rapid digitization is accompanied by a severe crisis of trust in traditional legacy media, which are increasingly plagued by economic vulnerabilities and widespread accusations of political bias. The consequences of this shifting information landscape were highly visible in previous electoral cycles that already witnessed the emergence of a highly professionalized “disinformation industry”. This weaponization of information not only deepened ethnic and class divisions but also contributed to profound voter apathy, resulting in the 2022 elections recording the lowest voter turnout since 2002. As Kenya approaches the 2027 elections, the climate of risk has grown even more complex and urgent. The proliferation of highly unregulated platforms like TikTok, which has become a fertile ground for hate speech and algorithmic amplification of political propaganda, poses unprecedented risks. Combined with the financial instability of traditional journalism and a deteriorating environment for press freedom, digital space threatens to become the decisive, yet unregulated battleground of the 2027 elections. Without structural interventions, the sheer volume and sophistication of AI-driven and targeted disinformation could undermine the ability of citizens to form their own political opinions and make informed decisions at the ballot boxes.
