Kimani Ichung’wah says the Bill leaves election results live-streaming requirements unchanged.
The Majority Leader rejects claims that MPs removed the results-streaming requirement and says the Elections Amendment Bill must return to the Senate.
National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah has rejected claims that MPs scrapped election live-streaming requirements in proposed electoral reforms. He said neither the Senate nor the National Assembly had removed the provision.
Ichung’wah accused politicians of misleading Kenyans about the Elections (Amendment) Bill. He also stressed that Parliament had not completed the legislative process, with senators still due to consider amendments.
Election live-streaming provision remains unchanged
Ichung’wah pointed to Section 39(1G) of the Elections Act to explain the existing requirement. It requires the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to establish a mechanism for streaming results as polling stations announce them.
He said the Bill that originated in the Senate contained no proposal to remove that obligation. Likewise, he maintained that amendments approved by the National Assembly had left the requirement intact.
The Majority Leader argued that contrary claims sought to stir public anger ahead of the next General Election. Instead, he urged politicians to present policies addressing Kenyans’ daily challenges rather than spread claims he described as false.
Bill must return to the Senate
Meanwhile, Ichung’wah explained that the Bill must return to the Senate because it originated in that House. Senators will consider the changes made by the National Assembly before the process can advance.
He added that further Senate amendments would lead to mediation in line with the Constitution. The proposed changes therefore still need to complete the required legislative stages before becoming law.
The Bill forms part of electoral reforms arising from recommendations of the National Dialogue Committee, known as NADCO. That committee emerged after political tensions following the 2022 General Election. Its proposed reforms also cover electoral administration beyond results transmission.
MPs approve revised recall thresholds
During Thursday’s consideration, MPs also approved changes governing attempts to recall elected representatives. For a National Assembly member, a recall effort would need support from at least one-third of registered voters in every constituency ward.
For senators, the one-third threshold would instead apply in every constituency within the affected county. A simple majority of voters participating in a recall election would determine its outcome.
The House adopted the one-third threshold after further debate on the provision. However, these recall changes remain proposals while the Bill awaits completion of the legislative process.
