Former Public Service Minister and Democratic Party leader Justin Muturi has endorsed proposed changes to Kenya’s electoral regulations that would grant presidential candidates immediate access to constituency-level results. Muturi argues that such a move would promote transparency and prevent malpractice during the crucial results transmission process.
Speaking in a recent interview, Muturi said the proposed amendment would require constituency returning officers to issue a copy of the final results to each presidential candidate as soon as counting is completed. “Let every presidential candidate receive a copy, immediately, from every constituency returning officer,” he said.
Muturi noted that early access to verified results would allow candidates to track their performance in real-time and immediately identify discrepancies. “This helps you to know your result upfront and what your competitor has gained. You can then begin to question your agent if the result is correct because they will be there and they will have even signed those results,” he stated.
Citing Section 39(1) of the Elections Act, which requires prompt declaration and publication of results after polling, Muturi emphasized that the role of the national tallying centre in Nairobi is merely confirmatory. “What comes to Nairobi is only to confirm if a candidate has reached the 50 plus one threshold and secured 25 per cent of votes in at least 24 counties,” he explained.
Muturi also took issue with recent statements by some elected leaders implying potential election rigging. He termed such utterances as reckless and called for investigations under the Leadership and Integrity Act. “I expected other investigating agencies to summon those leaders because to stand publicly and say we are going to steal,” he said, adding that such remarks undermine public trust and dishonour the offices those leaders hold.
While Muturi admitted he has never been involved in the technical aspects of elections, he maintained that polling station results must be final and transparent. His comments come as the country gears up for the next general election, amid growing calls for reforms to safeguard electoral integrity.
