Democratic Party leader Justin Muturi has opposed the passage of a bill seeking to remove the legal requirement for live-streaming election results, warning that the proposed changes could weaken electoral transparency ahead of the 2027 General Election.
In a statement, Muturi said the party would resist any legislative changes that undermine public scrutiny of election results, arguing that transparency remains a fundamental requirement of Kenya’s constitutional democracy.
His opposition followed the National Assembly’s passage of the Elections (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill, 2024, on October 22, 2026.
Justin Muturi. Photo: Courtesy.
The Bill seeks to remove the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission’s (IEBC) statutory obligation to establish a mechanism for live-streaming results as announced at polling stations.
The proposal awaits presidential assent.
Muturi cited Article 86 of the Constitution, which requires the electoral system to ensure accurate, verifiable, secure, accountable and transparent elections.
He argued that removing safeguards for the live transmission of results would undermine public confidence in the electoral process and limit citizens’ ability to scrutinise election outcomes.
The Democratic Party urged Parliament to reject provisions that weaken public access to timely and verifiable election information.
With the National Assembly having passed the Bill, the party pledged to pursue lawful parliamentary and constitutional avenues to oppose the changes.
Muturi also warned that limiting transparency could create an information vacuum, encourage misinformation and erode confidence in electoral institutions.
The proposed amendment has sparked debate over the distinction between live-streaming results announcements and electronically transmitting official results.
While the Bill retains provisions for electronic transmission, verification and online publication of polling-station results, it removes the explicit legal requirement for the IEBC to live-stream their announcement.
The controversy comes as Kenya prepares for the 2027 General Election, with electoral transparency and public confidence emerging as key issues.
The Democratic Party maintained that elections belong to the people and that no government should weaken accountability measures for political convenience.
