People’s Liberation Party (PLP) leader Martha Karua has criticised the current seven-day window for announcing presidential election results.

Speaking on a morning television show on Thursday, January 8, 2026, she said the process invites manipulation and undermines transparency.

Karua highlighted that most polling stations serve fewer than 700 voters, with some handling as few as 300. She argued that counting votes at each station should take no more than an hour after polls close at 6pm.

“By nine o’clock, counting should be done everywhere in the country,” she said. Agents would then take the results to constituency tallying centres, the last stage before the national level.

She insisted that Kenyans should know the presidential winner by midnight or shortly after election night. Karua questioned why the Constitution allows the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) up to seven days to announce results.

“When you tally for seven days, just because it is said… you are giving room for manipulations,” she said.

Karua urges open election results

The PLP leader linked prolonged tallying to claims of uploading, deleting, and re-uploading forms. She said a committed and honest IEBC could complete the process within one night. Karua contrasted Kenya’s system with Senegal, where voters knew the result of the presidential election the same evening.

“By 11pm, celebrations filled Dakar streets,” she said, referring to Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s victory.

Karua also criticised rules that prevent announcing results before the IEBC chairperson officially declares them. She recalled the 2002 elections, when NARC defeated KANU. Media outlets and citizens freely announced signed polling station and constituency results, posting forms publicly.

In 2022, only Citizen provided tallies, as other media outlets feared IEBC warnings.

Karua urged Kenyans to demand greater openness in the electoral process. She said citizens should tally results themselves using pen and paper as they are announced at stations and constituencies. She also called on the media to resume independent tallying and highlight irregularities, including inaccessible areas or incidents of violence.

“Collectively, we can stop manipulation of elections,” she said.

Her comments come amid ongoing debates over electoral reforms ahead of the 2027 general election. Karua has positioned herself as a presidential contender, emphasising the need for integrity and speed in announcing results.

Karua also spoke about how Azimio handled party agents in the 2022 elections, in a conversation that has sparked interest among Kenyans. The discussion was prompted by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, who accused Junet Mohamed of sabotaging Raila Odinga’s campaign.

Karua said that Raila had entrusted almost everything to Junet, highlighting that key responsibilities were delegated and anyone with further information should come forward.