The Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) has opposed proposals to ban livestreaming of presidential vote tallying, warning that the move could undermine electoral transparency and create unnecessary political tensions ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The bishops urged Parliament to reject legislation that could restrict public access to information during the electoral process.
They argued that proposals to prohibit livestreaming presidential vote tallying risk casting doubt on the credibility of the elections at a time when the country should be strengthening confidence in its electoral institutions.
The bishops cautioned that introducing legislation that raises questions about the transparency of the voting and tallying process could undermine the legitimacy of the elections and weaken public trust in the eventual results.
"We therefore ask the Speakers of Parliament to be patriotic by ensuring no divisive Bills are brought to the House," the bishops said.
They called on Parliament to prioritise legislation that strengthens the Electoral Act rather than measures that could limit access to information or generate suspicion among voters.
The religious leaders maintained that Kenyans should have access to full information throughout the electoral process, arguing that transparency is necessary to protect public confidence and ensure the results are widely accepted.
They also urged the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to strengthen its preparations for the 2027 elections by establishing clear mechanisms for voter registration, election logistics, training and conduct of electoral officials.
The commission was further urged to put in place effective procedures for protecting and verifying results, managing political party agents, resolving electoral complaints promptly and communicating with the public at every stage.
The bishops insisted that the IEBC must operate independently and resist attempts by politicians or other powerful interests to intimidate, manipulate or compromise its work.
They noted that the credibility of an election should not depend solely on the final declaration of results but also on the confidence voters have in the entire electoral process.
The conference also called on the Judiciary to handle electoral disputes with diligence and impartiality, emphasising the importance of resolving disagreements through established legal processes.
Kenya is preparing for the August 2027 General Election, with the conduct of the electoral process expected to remain a major issue in political and institutional discussions.
The bishops urged all electoral stakeholders to respect IEBC guidelines and work towards an election whose outcome reflects the will of voters.
They warned that mistakes made during previous electoral cycles had contributed to bitter disputes, loss of lives and destruction of property, saying the country must avoid repeating those experiences.
The conference maintained that protecting transparency, public participation and institutional independence would be essential in delivering peaceful and credible elections.
