GOVERNMENT DISMISSES CLAIMS OF ELECTION RESULTS LIVESTREAMING REMOVAL, UPDATES KENYANS ON EBOLA AND EASTLEIGH COLLAPSE

By Elijah Odanga | Lolwe Digital Media

NAIROBI, Kenya, October 26, 2026 

 The Government has dismissed reports claiming that Parliament has scrapped the mandatory livestreaming of election results, terming the allegations false and misleading.

Government Spokesperson Charles Owino Wahong’o said the National Assembly retained Section 39 of the Elections Act after deleting a proposed amendment that sought to replace the existing provision governing the management and transmission of election results.

In a press statement issued at Harambee House Annex on Monday, Wahong’o urged Kenyans and media organisations to verify information through official parliamentary records, court decisions and applicable laws before sharing it.

“The claim that Parliament has abolished the mandatory livestreaming of election results is therefore false,” the spokesperson said.

He explained that the Elections (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill, 2024, also known as Senate Bill No. 29 of 2024, originated in the Senate and was introduced in the National Assembly on February 13, 2025, as part of proposals associated with the National Dialogue Committee process.

The Bill's consideration followed court petitions challenging the constitutionality of Section 39 of the Elections Act, which provides for the management and transmission of election results, including livestreaming by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

On September 22, 2026, the High Court upheld the constitutionality of Section 39 and directed the National Assembly to take the court's interpretation into account when finalising consideration of the Bill.

On October 22, the National Assembly deleted Clause 22, which had proposed replacing Section 39, before passing the Bill in line with the court's directions.

The Government said the existing legal provision therefore remains in force without the proposed changes that would have removed livestreaming requirements.

Owino called on the public to reject misinformation, saying responsible reporting was essential to maintaining confidence in the electoral process.

Government Defends Tree Harvesting in Aberdares Forest

The Government has also defended the harvesting of mature commercial trees in parts of the Aberdares Ecosystem following complaints about alleged excessive tree felling and deforestation.

Charles Owino said the trees harvested at Geta Forest Station, compartment 8A, and Keriita Forest Station had reached maturity and their commercial rotation age.

He explained that some trees had developed excessive weight and heart rot, causing them to fall and resulting in commercial losses.

According to the statement, the Forest Department authorised the harvesting of mature commercial cypress trees through an online application process involving qualified sawmillers, in accordance with the Public Procurement and Disposal Act.

The three successful sawmillers were locals drawn from counties within the Central region of Kenya covered by the Aberdares Ecosystem.

The Government said plans were underway to establish new plantations during the short rains through the Plantation Establishment and Livelihood Improvement Scheme (PELIS).

Under the programme, local communities are allowed to grow crops for household consumption and sale for three years as the planted trees develop sufficient canopy cover.

However, the Government acknowledged that a Member of Parliament had taken the matter to court in Ol Kalou, temporarily halting the process for two weeks pending the court's decision.

Owino said the Government would respect the rule of law as the matter proceeds through the courts.

Two Rescued Alive as Eastleigh Building Collapse Probe Continues

Meanwhile, rescue operations continued following the collapse of a building along 9th Street, First Avenue, in Nairobi's Eastleigh area.

The Government said rescuers had cleared approximately 50 per cent of the debris by the time of the update, with two people — a man and a woman — rescued alive and taken to hospital for treatment.

The statement did not provide a final casualty figure, noting that the rescue operation was still ongoing.

Questions surrounding whether the building had received the necessary approvals have been referred to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) for investigations and possible prosecution.

Owino thanked members of the Eastleigh community for their patience and support as emergency teams continued with the rescue operation.

Ebola Cases Remain at Nine as Patients Respond to Treatment

The Government has reported that the number of confirmed Ebola cases remains at nine, including two patients who have died.

According to the statement, the first patient died on October 5, 2026, while the second death occurred on October 23, 2026.

The remaining seven patients were receiving treatment at designated isolation facilities, with the Government reporting that they were responding well to care provided by infectious disease specialists.

The seven patients include three family members and four healthcare workers who had cared for the first confirmed case.

The spokesperson further said all 135 contacts associated with the first case had been traced, representing a 100 per cent contact-tracing rate. Contacts had also been traced both within Kenya and abroad.

The Government thanked national and county contact-tracing teams, families, communities and development partners for supporting efforts to contain the outbreak.

Government Warns Against Examination Malpractice

The Government has also issued a stern warning against examination malpractice as the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) and Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA) officially began across the country on Monday.

Owino  encouraged candidates sitting the national assessments, urging them to remain focused and rely on their own efforts.

He warned that individuals and institutions found attempting to compromise the integrity of the examinations would face swift legal action.

The warning applies to candidates, school administrators, teachers and other individuals who may attempt to facilitate examination malpractice.

The Government said protecting the credibility of the national assessments was essential to safeguarding the integrity of Kenya's education system and ensuring that learners succeed through honest effort.