Kenya drops live broadcast of election results
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Tuko
Kenya’s National Assembly has removed the legal requirement for the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission to livestream polling-station results. The electoral bill also provides for the recall of convicted MPs, according to Tuko, as the 2027 presidential election approaches.
Kenya’s National Assembly adopted the 2024 Electoral Amendment Bill on Thursday 22 October, removing the legal requirement for the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to livestream polling-station results. The law nevertheless maintains the IEBC’s obligation to determine, announce and publish the results immediately after polling closes, according to Tuko.
The bill also provides that results announced at each polling station will be considered final. Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Gladys Boss Shollei, who represents women in Uasin Gishu County, defended the removal of the livestreaming requirement, saying that a court could order ballot boxes to be returned and a recount to be conducted in the event of a dispute, according to Tuko.
The bill had already been approved by the Senate at the end of 2025 before being sent to the National Assembly for adoption. A proposal by Suba South MP Caroli Omondi to regulate the counting, verification and transmission of presidential results was rejected after opposition from Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah, Tuko reports.
The removal of the requirement comes as the Linda Mwananchi movement prepares candidates for the 2027 general election, announced on 18 October in the preparation of candidates for 2027.
