There is a proposal by the Senate Committee on Justice, Legal Affairs and Human Rights to push the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to establish new polling stations in four countries.
The Committee convened with the Technical Working Group representing Kenyans in the diaspora to deliberate on enhancing electoral access for citizens abroad.
Using recent IEBC data and proposals from the Election Amendment Bill, the meeting highlighted that Kenya currently operates 19 polling stations in cities like Washington, D.C., London, and Ottawa.
The discussions also proposed establishing new voting centers in key global hubs.
This includes Mumbai and New Delhi both in India, Canberra in Australia, Madrid in Spain and Johannesburg in South Africa.
While opening the session, the Committee Chair, Senator Hillary Sigei, emphasized the importance of inclusive participation.
Sigei said the Kenyans in diaspora must be allowed to vote without any challenges.
He reiterated that the government must ensure Kenyans living abroad are included in the election and affairs of the country.
“We must ensure that every Kenyan abroad can cast their vote without undue hindrance. While the existing 19 stations represent a promising start, the proposed expansions reflect our unwavering commitment to fostering an inclusive democracy and empowering our diaspora,” he said.
Vice Chair Veronica Maina highlighted the operational challenges, stating that the government goes beyond establishing new polling stations.
She explained that the government and IEBC must provide the necessary financial support to achieve this goal.
“Our responsibility extends beyond merely expanding the number of polling stations. Stakeholders must rigorously scrutinize the logistical and financial frameworks required to establish and maintain these new centers efficiently in the identified cities,” Maina said.
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Kenyans in Diaspora Plea to IEBC
Sub-Committee Chair for the United Kingdom (UK), Dr. Martin Koyabe, conveyed aspirations of the diaspora community.
Koyabe said the government should establish more polling stations in major cities across the world.
He explained that Kenyans living in diaspora have a right to vote and the distance should not be a limitation.
“Our plea is straightforward, establish additional, well-equipped polling centers in major cities so that distance does not silence our democratic voice. We urge lawmakers to act swiftly to ensure our right to vote is fully realized,” he said.
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Committee To Review Proposals
The committee committed to reviewing these proposals with urgency, aiming to extend and modernize voting access for Kenyans worldwide.
It stated that the initiative underscores a collective resolve to strengthen democratic participation and ensure that no citizen is excluded due to location.
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