Kenya’s Senate is reviewing the Election Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which aims to remove the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) requirement to livestream polling station results during elections.

Currently, IEBC streams live results from polling stations as a public information measure. Though these live feeds carry no legal authority, they allow citizens, journalists, and election agents to monitor incoming numbers and compare them with official declarations later.

Key Changes Proposed

  • The bill eliminates the mandate for live streaming results.
  • Presidential results would be announced at polling stations, then electronically transmitted to tallying centers within a set timeframe.
  • Scanned copies of result forms would still be uploaded to the IEBC portal for public access.
  • IEBC would explicitly verify that electronically transmitted results match those declared at polling stations.

This proposal revives a similar 2024 bill that stalled, following recommendations from the National Dialogue Committee after the disputed 2022 election. IEBC officials have indicated that the traditional national tallying center display may be discontinued in 2027.

Supporters and Critics

Proponents, including election observers like Mule Musau of the Elections Observation Group (ELOG), argue the reform focuses on improving result verification rather than reducing transparency. They contend that accurate polling station records make live streaming redundant and that secure electronic transmission combined with scanned forms offers a reliable audit trail.

Critics caution that removing the live feed reduces real-time public oversight. The livestream allows citizens to detect irregularities as they occur, such as delayed or inconsistent reporting from polling stations. Without it, issues may only surface after official results are published.

Senator Okiya Omtatah, a declared 2027 presidential candidate, views the bill as politically motivated, suggesting it favors the incumbent and undermines impartial electoral transparency.

Context and Implications

The debate is informed by Kenya’s 2017 Supreme Court decision that nullified presidential election results due to verification failures. The court highlighted the IEBC's lack of transparency and incomplete use of electronic transmission systems during the tallying process.

The current bill retains mandatory electronic transmission and public posting of scanned results, preserving the audit trail that contributed to the improved transparency of the 2022 polls. However, it removes the live public feed that facilitated immediate oversight.

The bill is under consideration by the Senate’s Justice and Legal Affairs Committee, with ongoing public input expected to influence its final form. Amendments could address transmission timelines and independent audit provisions.

Given Kenya’s history of contested presidential elections and court challenges, the bill’s outcome will be pivotal for the integrity and public confidence of the 2027 elections.