Fresh Twist as High Court Takes on Ruto Over Plan to Scrap Live Election Results, Gives Govt 7 Days

The High Court has given the government and electoral officials seven days to respond to a petition seeking to stop President William Ruto from signing an elections amendment Bill that seeks to remove the requirement for live-streaming results announced at polling stations.

Justice David Mburu certified the case as urgent on Friday, October 23, directing lawyer John Muremi Njomo to serve the petition, application and court orders on the respondents within two days.

The respondents and any interested parties will have seven days from the date of service to file their responses. The matter will return to court on November 2, 2026, for a compliance check and further directions.

Njomo wants the court to prevent Parliament from forwarding the Elections (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill, 2024, also known as Senate Bill No. 29 of 2024, to Ruto in a form that removes the livestreaming requirement.

The lawyer argues that Clause 22 of the Bill threatens electoral transparency by seeking to remove provisions in Section 39 of the Elections Act requiring the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to maintain a mechanism for livestreaming results as they are announced at polling stations.

He is seeking conservatory orders to preserve the existing legal position until the court determines the dispute.

Njomo also wants the IEBC to continue preparing for the August 10, 2027, General Election and any by-elections on the basis that the livestreaming obligation remains in force.

The Bill, sponsored by National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah and Minority Leader Junet Mohamed, seeks to implement recommendations from the National Dialogue Committee and amend several provisions of the Elections Act, 2011.

The lawyer has further asked the court to certify the petition as raising substantial legal questions, potentially paving the way for a bench of at least three judges.

The court has not yet ruled on the petition’s merits.

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