President Ruto Urged to Reject Election Amendment Bill as Hussein Khalid Warns of Protests

President William Ruto has been urged to reject the proposed Election Amendment Bill that would make the livestreaming of election results non-mandatory, with VOCAL Africa Chief Executive Officer Hussein Khalid warning that signing the legislation could trigger public protests.

The proposed changes have raised concerns about transparency and accountability in the electoral process, particularly as Kenya prepares for the 2027 General Election.

Khalid has called on the Head of State to reject the Bill, arguing that livestreaming election results is an important measure for promoting public confidence in the electoral process.

The debate comes amid growing public interest in electoral reforms and demands for stronger safeguards to ensure that votes are accurately counted, verified and announced.

Making livestreaming non-mandatory could give electoral authorities greater flexibility in deciding when and where to use the technology. However, critics fear that removing the requirement could weaken transparency and create room for suspicion during the announcement of results.

The proposed legislation has also attracted criticism from other public figures who argue that transparency should remain central to the electoral process. Democratic Party leader Justin Muturi and former Law Society of Kenya president Faith Odhiambo have questioned the removal of the explicit livestreaming requirement, citing constitutional safeguards on transparent elections.

Khalid’s warning places President Ruto at the centre of the debate, with calls for him to consider the concerns raised by civil society before assenting to the Bill.

The possibility of demonstrations adds another dimension to the controversy, as Kenyans continue to debate how electoral reforms could affect confidence in the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

However, the Bill’s removal of a mandatory livestreaming provision would not, by itself, prohibit the IEBC from broadcasting results voluntarily. Other mechanisms for transmitting and publishing results may also remain in place, depending on the final wording of the legislation.

As the country moves closer to the 2027 elections, the debate is expected to focus on balancing electoral reforms with the public’s demand for access to timely and verifiable information.

For Ruto, the immediate question is whether to assent to the legislation amid mounting criticism or take into account concerns from those who believe that livestreaming is an important safeguard for public scrutiny.

Khalid’s warning underscores the potential public reaction to the proposed changes, although whether protests will materialise remains uncertain. The final outcome will depend on the legislative process and the decisions made by the President and other relevant institutions.

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