Friday, February 4, 2022 – The Bill that seeks to bar live transmission of election results by the media and online platforms come August has caught the attention of Deputy President William Ruto.
Taking to his social media pages, Ruto chided the government of President Uhuru Kenyatta for sponsoring such a retrogressive Bill, terming the move as a scheme to install a “puppet president”.
The controversial Bill, which was 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, illegal, 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 Woman 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 getting desperate.