Live-streaming election results is non-negotiable, Opposition says
Jubilee Party leader Fred Matiang’i addresses residents of Kware in Ongata Rongai, Kajiado County on October 25, 2026.
Opposition leaders have opposed proposed changes to the Elections Act that would remove provisions for livestreaming election results, warning that the move could weaken transparency ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Led by People’s Party of Kenya (PPK) leader Ndindi Nyoro and Jubilee Party leader Fred Matiang’i, the leaders said real time access to results was essential in enabling voters, political parties, journalists and election observers to follow the counting and announcement of votes at polling stations.
Speaking at a rally in Ongata Rongai, Kajiado County after attending a service at St Mary’s Catholic Church, the leaders challenged the government to protect mechanisms that allow the public to scrutinise the electoral process and verify results against those transmitted to tallying centres.
Mr Nyoro said the opposition would resist any changes that could restrict public access to election proceedings, insisting that livestreaming should remain a key feature of the 2027 polls.
He said the opposition intended to use the platform to monitor the entire process, from voting and counting to tallying, as part of efforts to ensure President William Ruto is defeated through a credible election.
“We have come to address you in broad daylight and even when we vote next year, there will be livestreaming from the polling stations so that we can watch as we send Ruto packing. From the moment voting begins, we will livestream the process, the counting and the tallying,” Mr Nyoro said.
Dr Matiang’i noted that live-streaming of elections is enshrined in Section 39(1G) of the Elections Act.
Livestreaming protocol
“The Constitution says you must livestream elections. It's not even a topic we need to talk about,” Dr Matiang’i said.
Separately, Democratic Party leader Justin Muturi called for the development of clear and binding rules governing the livestreaming of the 2027 General Election to protect transparency and public confidence in the electoral process.
Mr Muturi urged the Ministry of Information, the Media Council of Kenya, political parties and the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to convene a meeting to establish a livestreaming protocol ahead of the polls.
“The 2022 experience at Bomas of Kenya, where results of 28 constituencies were not formally announced by (Wafula) Chebukati at Bomas leading to chaos, showed how interruptions in the live communication of election results can fuel suspicion, erode public trust and heighten political tension,” Mr Muturi said in a statement.
“Kenya must not repeat this mistake. The meeting must deliver enforceable rules guaranteeing public access to electoral information, transparent explanations for any livestreaming disruptions and clear contingency measures for technical failures,” he added.
At the same time, the leaders dismissed concerns that differences among political players within the Opposition would derail their efforts to mount a joint challenge against President Ruto in next year’s General Election.
They said consultations were ongoing and expressed confidence that the opposition would agree on a presidential candidate and running mate ahead of the election.
The leaders also accused President Ruto of failing to address the economic hardships facing Kenyans, arguing that his public engagements were increasingly focused on drawing crowds rather than providing solutions to pressing national concerns.
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