Photo caption: Government Spokesperson Charles Owino Wahongo’o addresses the media at Harambee House Annex in Nairobi on October 26, 2026.
NAIROBI, October 26, 2026 — The Government has dismissed claims that Parliament scrapped mandatory live streaming of election results, clarifying that the existing legal provisions remain in force.
Speaking during a press briefing at Harambee House Annex in Nairobi on Monday, Government Spokesperson Charles Owino Wahongo’o dismissed reports circulating on social media claiming that Parliament had scrapped mandatory live streaming of election results.
“The claim that Parliament has abolished the mandatory livestreaming of election results is therefore false,” Owino said, urging the public and media to verify information against official parliamentary records, court decisions and applicable laws.
He explained that the Elections (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill, 2024, which originated in the Senate, was introduced in the National Assembly on February 13, 2025, as part of the National Dialogue Committee process.
Owino said the High Court upheld the constitutionality of Section 39 of the Elections Act on September 22, 2026. The provision governs the management and transmission of election results, including live streaming by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
On October 22, the National Assembly deleted Clause 22, which had proposed changes to Section 39, following the court’s direction to consider its interpretation of the law.
Consequently, the existing provisions remain in force.On concerns over tree felling in the Aberdares ecosystem, Owino said the Government had authorised the harvesting of mature commercial cypress trees at Geta Forest Station, compartment 8A, and Keriita Forest Station in Nyandarua and Kiambu counties, respectively.
“The fact of the matter is that these are commercial trees which had reached maturity and rotation age,” he said, explaining that some trees had developed excessive weight and heart rot, increasing the risk of falling and commercial losses.
The harvesting was conducted through online applications by qualified sawmillers in accordance with the Public Procurement and Disposal Act, he said.
Owino added that plans were underway to establish plantations during the short rains under the Plantation Establishment and Livelihood Improvement Scheme (PELIS), which allows local communities to grow crops for household use and sale for three years as trees develop a full canopy.
He said a Member of Parliament had taken the matter to court in Ol Kalou, prompting a two-week suspension of the process as the court considers the case.
“The Government shall remain compliant with the rule of law,” Owino said.On the Eastleigh building collapse in Nairobi, Owino said rescue operations were ongoing, with teams having cleared approximately 50 per cent of the debris.
Two people, a man and a woman, had been rescued alive and were receiving hospital treatment.He said the Directorate of Criminal Investigations had been tasked with investigating whether the necessary building approvals were issued, with a view to possible prosecution.
Addressing the Ebola situation, Owino said the cumulative number of confirmed cases remained nine, including two deaths recorded on October 5 and October 23.
Seven patients, comprising three family members and four health workers who had cared for the first case, were receiving treatment in designated isolation facilities and responding well, he said.
He added that all contacts associated with the first case had been traced locally and abroad, thanking national and county contact-tracing teams, families, communities and development partners for their support.
Owino also confirmed that the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) and Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA) had commenced across the country.
He warned that strict legal action would be taken against anyone attempting to compromise the credibility of the national assessments, including candidates, school administrators and teachers.
“Let us protect the integrity of our national education system and allow our children to succeed through their own honest efforts,” Owino said.
