Deputy President William Ruto has slammed the government’s move to bar the media and other online platforms from live streaming the provisional 2022 election results, terming the move as a scheme to install a “puppet president”.
Yesterday, a bill towards this effect, sponsored by the government and moved by Majority leader Amos Kimunya, was read before parliament for the first time.
Should the bill, which seeks to amend the Elections Act, be passed into law, no media houses or online platforms shall be allowed to tally the results of the election LIVE.
Ruto termed the move as desperate and promised to do all it takes to make sure that it does not go through.
“The never-ending onslaught through election law amendments is a choreographed attempt to install a puppet on the Kenyan electorate and sabotage our freedom of choice and hard-earned democracy. The plan is evil and must fail. The people have resoundingly said HATUPANGWINGWI,” said the Deputy President on his social platforms.
“The desperate efforts to install project kitendawili by forceful, against the law, undemocratic and unconstitutional means portends a troubled future for Kenya, its democracy, the rule of law, freedom of its citizens and, ultimately, everyone's well-being,” he went on, in a swipe on his rival, ODM leader, Raila Odinga.
The move has also been castigated by other members of parliament allied to Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party.
“Who thinks for this handshake/ODM coalition? I told you, it was all about 2022. Media who will speak for you?” implored Soy MP Caleb Kositany.
Nairobi Women representative aspirant Millicent Omanga, on her part, termed the Bill as a step in the wrong direction and that it was unacceptable.
Kericho Senator Aaron Cheruiyot also castigated the Bill, wondering why president Uhuru Kenyatta was in “panic”.
“Why would a retiring President (Uhuru Kenyatta) seek to change election laws a few months to the general elections? Why would he lead cabinet to draft a law directing IEBC on how to manage our elections? Why the panic? With such levels of interference, will it end well?” Cheruiyot posed
Wiper’s Mutula Kilonzo Junior also weighed in on the emotive bill saying: “This is completely unnecessary! All results must be publicized. We will oppose.”
The law requires Presiding Officers at every polling station to transmit results at every polling station to the Returning Officer based in their region of jurisdiction. Returning Officers are then required to collate results from their region to the National Tallying Centre.
The physical forms are also required to be delivered at the National Tallying Centre by the Individual Returning Officers for verification and reconciliation.
