Why presidential elections in Kenya are never safe – Onyonka reveals
By Kiprono Keileb, February 10, 2026Kisii County Senator Richard Onyonka has highlighted what he described as a systemic flaw in Kenya’s election process, pointing to how results are transmitted and tallied at the national level. He emphasised that the issue affects the credibility of presidential elections.
In a statement he made during a political talk show aired by a local TV station on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, Senator Onyonka explained his observations on the malfunctioning of KIMS kits and the flow of election results, noting a need for legislative discussion on the matter. He said the process of transmitting election results from local levels to Nairobi opens the door for manipulation.
“We have never sorted out the issue of KIMS kits, why they break down in certain areas and at certain times. My observation on solving election issues is this: can we stop the transmission of election issues from the ward level and subcounty levels to Nairobi? That is where the elections are always being stolen. That is what I would want MPs to discuss in the house,” Senator Onyonka stated.
He further argued that presidential results should be treated the same way as other elective positions, to prevent interference from national tallying centres.
“Once we have elected the president in Sub-county and ward levels, are those results admissible? My argument is very simple, those results from Ward and subcounty levels should be accepted because they are final. Why are we going to announce a presidential candidate in Nairobi?” he questioned.
Grassroot results in National tallying center
The senator noted that clerks and officials handling results at the grassroots level often see their work altered once results reach Nairobi, which undermines trust in the election outcome.
“Some clerks are already trying for other positions at the grassroots level. The reason why elections are being stolen in Kenya and we have accepted it is simply because once the results are being tallied at the local level, the counting does not stop there, you have to take them to Nairobi so that the IEBC can then say yes, we have received, and that is where they change the numbers,” he explained.
He concluded by offering a straightforward reform solution, urging that presidential results be accepted immediately from all polling stations to restore faith in the electoral process.
“The way we can resolve the issue is very simple: the way we accept the results of the other elective positions, let us also accept the results of the president from all the polling stations. Then it will be done,” Senator Onyonka said.