Diaspora leaders and lobby groups say millions of Kenyans residing outside the country continue to be politically marginalized despite their growing economic influence, particularly through remittances that remain one of Kenya’s largest sources of foreign exchange. They argue that political inclusion must now match their economic contribution.
At the center of the push is a proposal for the creation of dedicated diaspora constituencies, which would allow Kenyans abroad to elect their own Members of the National Assembly and Senators. The proposal envisions up to 15 or 16 diaspora constituencies, organised along global regions such as Africa, Europe, the Americas, Asia and Oceania. Each constituency would elect representatives to both houses of Parliament, giving the diaspora a direct voice in lawmaking and national oversight.
Diaspora representatives argue that their unique challenges , including taxation, investment protection, citizenship documentation, and voting access, are often poorly understood by leaders elected locally. Having MPs and Senators drawn directly from the diaspora, they say, would ensure these issues are consistently raised at the national level.
Alongside parliamentary representation, Kenyans abroad are calling for the introduction of secure online voting by 2027. In previous elections, diaspora voting was limited to a small number of embassies and consulates, forcing voters to travel long distances or miss out entirely. In countries with vast territories such as the United States, Canada and Australia, this effectively locked out thousands of registered voters.
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Diaspora groups are now urging the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) and Parliament to explore digital voting systems, including secure online platforms, to allow eligible voters to cast their ballots remotely. Proponents say technology has matured enough to support transparent and verifiable online voting, citing countries like Estonia that already conduct national elections digitally.
However, for these proposals to be implemented, significant legal and policy changes would be required. Kenya’s current electoral framework does not provide for diaspora constituencies or online voting. This means amendments to the Elections Act and related regulations would be necessary, and potentially broader constitutional discussions on representation.
IEBC officials have previously hinted at the possibility of expanding voting methods in the future, including early and digital voting, as part of efforts to make elections more inclusive. Still, no formal roadmap has been released, raising concerns that time may be running out ahead of 2027.
Diaspora leaders are now appealing directly to Parliament and the Executive to prioritize the reforms, warning that failure to act would once again disenfranchise millions of citizens. They insist that meaningful inclusion of Kenyans abroad is not a privilege, but a constitutional right tied to citizenship.
As preparations for the 2027 General Elections slowly begin, the diaspora’s demands are shaping up to be a key test of Kenya’s commitment to inclusive democracy in an increasingly globalised society.
