Elections Bill, 2022: Ruto Alleges Plot to Rig Presidential Election in Favor of Raila

Deputy President William Ruto has faulted plans to amend elections law ahead of the August 9th general elections.

Ruto, who is eying the presidency, said the proposed Elections (Amendment) Bill, 2022, which is sponsored by National Assembly Majority Leader Amos Kimunya is a well-calculated plot to influence the outcome of this year’s presidential election.

He termed the bill, which pushes for manual transmission of election results among other changes, as an evil plan that must fail.

"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,” Ruto said in a statement on Thursday.

"The plan is evil and must fail. The people have resoundingly said hatupangwingwi."

He further alleged that the amendments were part of a wider plan to forcibly install ODM leader Raila Odinga as Kenya’s fifth president against the will of the people of Kenya.

"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,” said Ruto.

He added: “The assaults on the Constitution through reckless legislative and administrative sleights off-hand, by dark forces operating in shadows, are fundamental ingredients of a coup; the sovereignty of the people of Kenya is under grave threat.”

The bill proposes among other things to delete section 39(1g) of the Elections Act that requires IEBC to establish a mechanism for the live-streaming of election results as announced at polling stations.