By ERIC JUMA
Movement for Development and Growth (MDG) leader David Ochieng has dismissed claims that Parliament has scrapped the mandatory livestreaming of election results, accusing those spreading the reports of seeking to undermine public confidence in the electoral process ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Ochieng, who is also the Ugenya MP, said there was no law or parliamentary motion stopping the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) from livestreaming presidential election results.
Addressing chiefs and their assistants in Siaya town, Ochieng claimed that those spreading the reports had sensed defeat and were relying on rumours to remain politically relevant.
“In fact, the courts had pronounced themselves on the matter, insisting that such a clause cannot be tampered with,” Ochieng said.
He maintained that Kenya’s Constitution protected fundamental freedoms, including freedom of speech, conscience and access to information.
“Our country is run under a new Constitution, and we cherish our freedoms, including freedom of speech, conscience and access to information. Anybody saying that Parliament passed a law to stop livestreaming election results is doing so out of ignorance,” he said.
Ochieng said he had participated in discussions on proposed electoral reforms with IEBC officials and parliamentary leaders in Mombasa last month, adding that he had also presided over parliamentary debates on election laws.
“I sat with IEBC officials alongside parliamentary leadership in Mombasa last month and went through their proposals. I also had the privilege of presiding over debates in Parliament on election laws, and there was no clause stopping the IEBC from livestreaming results,” he said.
He accused opposition leaders of spreading propaganda and attempting to destabilise the country ahead of the next General Election.
Ochieng further claimed that some opposition leaders lacked an understanding of developments in the country, citing what he described as previous attempts to misrepresent the contents of the Finance Bill.
He alleged that opponents had circulated a different version of the Bill whose contents did not correspond with the actual proposals under consideration.
“They are the promoters of propaganda, and what they say has nothing to do with what is in the paper,” he said.
His remarks come amid criticism from opposition leaders over reported changes to the legal requirement for the IEBC to livestream election results from polling stations.
People’s Liberation Party leader Martha Karua questioned the reported removal of the requirement, arguing that it could undermine electoral transparency ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Writing on X on Friday, October 23, 2026, Karua questioned why lawmakers would remove a safeguard that enables Kenyans to follow the announcement of election results in real time.
“Parliament’s decision to remove the IEBC’s legal obligation to livestream results at polling stations is a sign of fear!” Karua said.
Siaya governor James Orengo has also warned that any attempt by the government to remove mandatory livestreaming of election results would raise concerns about the credibility of the 2027 polls. He pledged to pursue legal action, citing his standing as a Senior Counsel.
Separately, Ochieng used the meeting with chiefs and their assistants to promote his development record as he prepares for the 2027 General Election.
He expressed confidence that his record as Ugenya MP would persuade voters in Siaya County to support his political ambitions.
Ochieng cited investments in education, including the establishment of Ugenya Teachers Training College, Ugenya Technical Training Institute and Ugenya Kenya Medical Training College, as some of his achievements.
He also said he had ensured that students benefited from bursaries to support their education.
“It is through my leadership as MP that Ugenya has opened up to education. We have brought tertiary institutions, including Ugenya Teachers Training College, Ugenya TTI and Ugenya KMTC, and also ensured that students accessed bursaries. I am therefore confident that I will triumph in the coming polls,” he said.
On infrastructure, Ochieng said he had transformed the constituency by facilitating the construction of tarmac roads, noting that more projects were being implemented under the broad-based government.
“I found Ugenya without an inch of tarmac, but we now have tarmac roads, including those being rolled out by the broad-based government,” he said.
Ochieng said he was prepared to face any challengers in the 2027 race, including former Rarieda MP Nicholas Gumbo, Siaya County Assembly Speaker George Okode and Orengo.
He welcomed Orengo’s entry into the political contest under the LDP banner but questioned his decision to establish a new political vehicle ahead of the elections.
“We welcome Orengo with his new party, LDP. Maybe he has seen signals that ODM may throw him out and opted for a new vehicle to run with in 2027. But I want to assure him that he will not succeed in his re-election bid in 2027,” Ochieng said.
He maintained that he was confident of retaining his seat regardless of the number or identity of his opponents.
“It does not matter who runs against me in the coming elections. We welcome them to this race, whether it is Orengo, Gumbo or Okode. All of them will fall by the wayside,” he said.
