Ruto Breaks Silence on Alleged Plan to Ban Livestreaming of 2027 Election Results

President William Ruto has dismissed claims that his administration is planning to ban the livestreaming of election results ahead of the 2027 General Election, insisting that the proposed amendments to the Elections Act do not restrict Kenyans from accessing results.

Speaking during a church service at AIC Kasina Church in Mwingi town, Ruto defended the proposed changes, accusing opposition leaders of spreading misleading information about the legislation and using the issue to influence public opinion, particularly among young Kenyans.

The Head of State maintained that livestreaming election results remains a right for citizens, arguing that Kenyans should receive election information as quickly as possible to understand the voting process and the emerging results.

“I have seen propagandists try to create propaganda around election laws that livestreaming has been banned. Nonsense,” Ruto said, dismissing allegations that the proposed legislation seeks to prevent the public from following election results in real time.

Ruto further questioned why anyone would want to stop the livestreaming of election results, reiterating that Kenyans deserve timely access to electoral information as the country prepares for the next General Election scheduled for 2027.

His remarks came days after the National Assembly passed the Elections (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill, 2024, which requires the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission to electronically transmit presidential election results within two hours of their declaration at polling stations.

Under the proposed amendments, IEBC would be required to explain delays using a prescribed format whenever results are not transmitted to constituency and national tallying centres, candidates or their agents, and election observers within the stipulated timeframe.

The commission would also be required to publish polling station results forms on its public online portal and verify the figures against those recorded and declared at individual polling stations, provisions that have triggered debate over transparency and electoral accountability.

Following the backlash, Ruto urged political leaders to stop mobilising young people to protest against the proposed law before understanding its contents. He linked the controversy to the 2024 Finance Bill protests, which forced him to withdraw the legislation after Parliament approved it.

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