More Trouble For Ruto As Major Protests Is Declared

Kenyans Plan Protests Over Proposed Changes to IEBC Livestreaming Rules

Kenyans are mobilising to stage demonstrations on Monday, October 26, 2026, to oppose proposed changes to electoral transparency rules ahead of the 2027 General Election.

The protests follow Parliament’s passage of the Elections (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill, 2024, which seeks to remove the explicit legal requirement for the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to livestream results announcements at polling stations.

Former Chief Justice David Maraga, former Attorney General Justin Muturi and former Law Society of Kenya chairperson Faith Odhiambo have criticised the proposed amendments, warning that they could undermine public scrutiny of election results.

The National Assembly passed the Bill on October 22, 2026. Clause 22 proposes changes to Section 39 of the Elections Act, retaining electronic transmission of presidential results and online publication of polling-station results forms.

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However, the provision does not expressly require livestreaming of results announcements.

Maraga argued that the proposed changes could undermine constitutional safeguards governing elections.

“The Constitution is clear. The electoral system must be ‘accurate, verifiable, secure, accountable and transparent’. No law is superior to our Katiba,” he said.

He pledged to work with the People’s Coalition for Electoral Reforms to oppose the changes, citing the 2007/08 post-election violence as a reminder of the consequences of electoral disputes.

Muturi also opposed the proposal, insisting that Kenyans fought for multiparty democracy to ensure accountability and openness in electoral processes.

“Kenyans did not fight for multiparty democracy to be subjected to an electoral process shrouded in secrecy,” he said.

Meanwhile, Odhiambo called on Parliament to clarify whether the omission of mandatory livestreaming remained in the version approved by MPs.

She explained that electronic transmission and livestreaming serve different purposes, with livestreaming allowing citizens to observe results announcements in real time.

Suba South MP Caroli Omondi also raised concerns about proposed changes to the procedures for tallying, verifying and communicating presidential results.

Although the Bill was approved by the Senate in December 2024, it is still awaiting presidential assent and has not become law.

The planned protests are expected to intensify public debate over electoral transparency and accountability before the 2027 polls.

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