Residents of Iftin Ward could face barriers to accessing real-time election information due to poor internet connectivity and unreliable power, Wiper Party candidate Siyat Abdi Gedi has warned.
Mr. Gedi said proposed election livestreaming requirements risk leaving voters in pastoral and remote areas behind unless authorities invest in reliable telecommunications infrastructure and electricity.
He called for clear procedures to address livestreaming failures at polling stations, arguing that legal requirements must be matched with practical solutions on the ground.
“Iftin Ward and other pastoral areas face connectivity challenges. There is a need to match legal requirements with practical investment in telecommunications infrastructure, reliable power and contingency arrangements,” he said.
The debate follows parliamentary consideration of the Elections (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill, 2024, which addresses requirements for the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to livestream election results as announced at polling stations.
Kenya is preparing for the 2027 General Election, with concerns emerging over how election transparency measures will be implemented in areas with unreliable network coverage.
