Ruto Finally Talks About The Elections Livestreaming Bill, Sparking A Heated Firestorm

President William Ruto has defended Kenyans’ right to access election results, dismissing claims that his administration intends to stop the livestreaming of results ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Ruto maintained that election results are a matter of public interest, insisting that citizens have a right to know the outcome of their votes. He accused opposition leaders of spreading misinformation about changes to electoral laws.

The debate follows the passage of the Elections (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill, 2024, by the National Assembly on Thursday, October 22, 2026.

The proposed legislation sparked concerns about whether the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) would retain the requirement to livestream election results.

However, Principal Secretary for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Aurelia Rono clarified that the livestreaming provision remains in the Bill.

Rono explained that lawmakers deleted a clause seeking to amend Section 39 of the Elections Act after considering a High Court judgment delivered on September 22, 2026.

The decision preserved Section 39(1G), which requires the IEBC to establish a mechanism for livestreaming election results.

Former Chief Justice David Maraga has also defended electoral transparency, citing Article 86 of the Constitution. He urged the IEBC to publish results online as they are received.

The Bill will now return to the Senate for consideration following the National Assembly’s amendments.

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