Kenyans Abroad Advocate for Enhanced Voting Rights and Electoral Reforms
Kenyans in the diaspora are advocating for more polling stations and electoral reforms for the 2027 elections, emphasizing their right to vote and enhance civic participation. The Diaspora Working Group is proposing amendments to the Elections Act to establish additional polling centers abroad while stressing the need for increased funding for the State Department for Diaspora Affairs. Committee members express support for these initiatives, highlighting the diaspora’s significant economic contributions. Early preparations and technological integration are deemed necessary for effective participation.
Kenyans living abroad are advocating for the establishment of more polling stations in preparation for the 2027 general elections. They emphasize their constitutional right to vote and the importance of their participation in Kenyan governance. During a session with the National Assembly Committee on Defence, Intelligence, and Foreign Relations, the Diaspora Working Group, representing various countries, stated every Kenyan, regardless of their location, is entitled to vote.
The group, led by Danson Mukile from the United States, proposed amendments to the Elections Act to broaden voting rights by increasing polling centers overseas. They highlighted that augmenting the budget for the State Department for Diaspora Affairs would enhance voter registration processes and provide mobile consular services, thereby facilitating additional polling stations.
Mercy Kamanja from Scotland noted, “With increased funding, the State Department can establish mobile consulates and polling stations, enabling Kenyans abroad to exercise their constitutional right to vote.” The representatives from various countries, including Belgium, Germany, and China, underscored the necessity for early preparations to ensure the diaspora’s full participation in the upcoming elections.
Committee members, led by Vice Chair Bashir Abdullahi, voiced their support for the diaspora’s voting rights. Notably, they recognized the economic contributions of the diaspora, which registered Sh662 billion in remittances in 2024, highlighting the significance of their impact on the Kenyan economy. Kinangop MP Kwenya Thuku remarked on the principle of fair representation, stating that “there cannot be taxation without representation.”
Concerns regarding the country’s financial situation were raised by Kajiado Central MP Memusi Kanchory, who pointed out the current challenges facing the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) with commissioner vacancies and budgetary constraints. He advocated for leveraging technology for civic education and voter participation in developed nations.
Shinyallu MP Fred Ikana emphasized the need for technological integration in the voting process, advocating for inclusivity across various elective positions. Furthermore, Kamukunji MP Yusuf Hassan urged for stronger representation for Kenyans abroad, drawing parallels with the Philippines, which provides various support systems for its diaspora.
Bashir assured the diaspora representatives of the committee’s commitment to work with the State Department for Foreign Affairs to identify and address challenges in enhancing voter access. He stated, “We are all in agreement that every Kenyan has the right to vote, whether in the country or abroad.”
The diaspora’s call for reform and additional polling stations underscores their critical role in shaping Kenya’s democratic processes.
The call from Kenyans in the diaspora for increased polling stations and electoral reforms ahead of the 2027 elections is a pivotal step in ensuring their engagement in national governance. With a growing recognition of their constitutional right to vote and significant economic contributions, the push for early preparations, funding increases, and technological implementation is essential. It is imperative that the Kenyan government takes these demands seriously to facilitate a more inclusive electoral process for all citizens, regardless of their location.
Original Source: eastleighvoice.co.ke
