Democratic Party(DP) leader Justin Muturi has called for the development of clear and binding rules governing the livestreaming of the 2027 General Election to protect transparency and public confidence in the electoral process.
In a statement issued Sunday, October 25 in Kiamutugu, Kirinyaga County, Muturi urged the Ministry of Information, the Media Council of Kenya, political parties and the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to convene a meeting to establish a livestreaming protocol ahead of the polls.
He said the proposed framework should guarantee public access to electoral information, provide transparent explanations for interruptions and outline measures to address technical failures.
Muturi cited the 2022 presidential election at Bomas of Kenya, saying disruptions in the live communication of results had raised concerns about transparency.
“The 2022 experience at Bomas of Kenya, where 28 constituencies were not formally announced by Chebukati, leading to chaos, showed how interruptions in the live communication of election results can fuel suspicion, erode public trust and heighten political tensions,” he said.
Muturi warned against repeating what he described as mistakes from the previous election, arguing that clear procedures would help ensure the public receives timely information during the 2027 electoral process.
He called for enforceable rules that would explain how livestreaming should be managed and what should happen if technical problems interrupt broadcasts.
The former Speaker also cautioned against the use of national security concerns to restrict access to information of public interest.
“National security must never be used as a blanket excuse to suppress legitimate journalism or deny Kenyans information of public interest,” he said.
He added that any restriction on livestreaming or the dissemination of electoral information should meet legal requirements and be justified by necessity and proportionality.
Muturi urged the relevant institutions to begin discussions early, saying preparations should not be delayed until political tensions rise.
“The time to act is now—not when tensions are already high. Kenyans deserve transparency, accountability and timely access to election information,” he said.
He concluded with a call for uninterrupted access to electoral information, stating: “No information vacuum. No arbitrary interruptions. No compromise on electoral transparency.”
The proposed protocol, he said, should establish clear expectations for livestreaming disruptions and ensure that Kenyans can access election information in a transparent and timely manner.
