Proposed changes to Kenya’s Elections Act have sparked debate over Kenya’s preparedness to hold a transparent election in the 2027 General Election.

The proposed amendment, sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot and Minority Leader Stewart Madzayo, seeks to remove sections of the Elections Act that allow the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to livestream election results.

According to veteran Kenyan lawyer Paul Muite, removing IEBC’s role in broadcasting election results in real time could affect public trust and raise concerns about transparency during the 2027 election.

Under the current legal framework, the Elections Act allows IEBC to establish systems that enable the live broadcast of election results from polling stations across the country.

Although live broadcasting does not determine the final outcome of an election, supporters of the system argue that it provides an open information platform where election observers, candidates’ agents, the media, and members of the public can monitor results from different polling stations.

The system also allows stakeholders to document and compare results with the final tallies announced by IEBC.

If the proposed amendment is approved, presidential election results would first have to be counted and declared at polling stations before being transmitted to constituency and national tallying centres.

However, the proposed changes would not prevent the public from accessing election results through the IEBC online portal. Members of the public would still be able to view scanned copies of official election results through the platform.

The amendment would also maintain IEBC’s responsibility to verify and consolidate results received from different tallying centres.

The Elections Amendment Bill, 2026, has renewed debate over recommendations from the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) report, with some legal experts questioning the timing and purpose of the proposed changes.

Concerns over the amendment have continued to grow, with Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah arguing that results declared at the constituency level should be considered final. In a case filed at Kenya’s High Court, Omtatah is seeking a declaration that national-level tallying and verification of election results is unconstitutional.

In a country where previous presidential election outcomes have led to protests, violence, deaths, and legal disputes at the Supreme Court, experts say transparency in managing the 2027 election process will remain a key issue.

As debate continues, the proposed amendments to the Elections Act have renewed discussions about electoral transparency, public confidence, and the need to ensure a credible election process in Kenya’s next General Election.