Kenyan Lawmakers Vote to End Mandatory Live Streaming of Election Results

2026-10-23 region

Nairobi, 23 October 2026
Kenya’s National Assembly has voted to eliminate mandatory live streaming of election results. The legal change, passed on 22 October 2026, has sparked significant transparency concerns ahead of 2027.

Shift in Electoral Framework

This legislative shift comes shortly after Kenyan lawmakers rejected earlier electoral proposals to cap polling station voter limits at 1,000 [1]. On 22 October 2026, the National Assembly passed the Elections (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill, 2024, altering key operational rules for the upcoming 2027 General Election [2][3][5][8]. Jointly sponsored by Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah and Minority Leader Junet Mohamed, the legislation implements core recommendations established by the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) and follows prior approval by the Senate in 2025 [2][5][8].

Mechanics of Result Transmission

Central to the legislative update is Clause 22, which modifies Section 39 of the Elections Act [2][5][8]. The amendment removes the explicit legal obligation for the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to provide a real-time, public online livestream feed of results announced at polling stations [2][3][5]. Despite removing the live broadcast requirement, the bill establishes a mandatory two-hour deadline post-declaration for the IEBC to electronically transmit presidential election results to constituency and national tallying centres [3]. The commission is also mandated to publish polling station forms on an online public portal and provide public access to electoral technology data within three days upon request [3][8].

Legal Debate and Stakeholder Reactions

The decision has reignited intense debate regarding democratic accountability and voter trust [2][3][4]. Law Society of Kenya President Faith Odhiambo noted that while electronic transmission remains intact, omitting a mandatory live feed leaves public transparency at institutional discretion [6]. Odhiambo pointed to legal precedent, including the High Court’s 6 April 2018 ruling in Katiba Institute v Attorney General and its subsequent confirmation by the Court of Appeal on 6 October 2023, which affirmed that public collation must remain open and accountable under Article 86 of the Constitution [6]. In defense of the changes, Deputy Speaker Gladys Boss Shollei maintained that physical ballot boxes remain preserved for recount during Supreme Court petitions, ensuring full verifiability [2][5].

Broader Reforms and Parliamentary Tensions

Beyond result transmission, the legislation introduces key structural reforms, including clauses allowing constituents to recall Members of Parliament following a criminal conviction and the removal of degree requirements for parliamentary candidates [2][3][8]. Proceedings on 22 October 2026 were further marked by controversy when Kirinyaga Women Representative Njeri Maina alleged that the IEBC was registering non-Kenyans as voters, stating she would submit a 500-page dossier to substantiate the claim [2][7]. The bill now awaits presidential assent to become law [3].

Bronnen

Electoral Law Kenya Politics