The Kenyan government is considering increasing the number of polling stations in foreign countries to allow more Kenyans living abroad to participate in the 2027 general elections.
This move comes after growing pressure from lawmakers who are advocating for expanded voting access for the diaspora community.
Senators from the Justice, Legal Affairs, and Human Rights Committee have urged the government to take immediate action to establish more polling stations in different parts of the world.
The committee, led by Chairperson Hillary Sigei, emphasized their strong commitment to ensuring that every eligible Kenyan abroad has the opportunity to vote without unnecessary obstacles.
In a recent meeting between the Senate and the Technical Working Group representing the diaspora, discussions focused on ways to improve voting accessibility for Kenyans living overseas.
Among the key proposals is the establishment of new polling stations in major global cities such as Mumbai or New Delhi (India), Canberra (Australia), Madrid (Spain), and Johannesburg (South Africa).
At present, Kenya has 19 diaspora polling stations located in key cities, including Washington, D.C. (USA), London (UK), and Ottawa (Canada). However, lawmakers believe this number is insufficient given the large Kenyan population residing in various countries worldwide.
“We must make sure that every Kenyan abroad has a fair and accessible way to cast their vote. While the existing 19 polling stations were a good start, we must do more to expand our reach.
The proposed new stations reflect our firm commitment to an inclusive democracy and ensuring that our diaspora community remains an active part of Kenya’s electoral process,” Senator Sigei stated.
During the discussions, the government was also urged to address the logistical and financial challenges that could hinder the expansion of voting centers. Lawmakers emphasized the need for proper planning to ensure the smooth operation of new polling stations.
Senator Veronica Maina stressed the importance of thorough preparation, saying, “Expanding polling stations is just one step.
It is crucial that stakeholders carefully evaluate the logistics and financial requirements needed to set up and maintain these stations effectively in the targeted cities.”
Meanwhile, Kenyans living abroad have strongly called on the government to speed up the process. Martin Koyabe, the sub-committee chairperson for the United Kingdom, expressed the diaspora’s frustration over limited voting access.
“Our request is simple—set up more polling stations in major global cities, ensuring they are fully equipped so that distance does not prevent us from exercising our democratic rights. We urge lawmakers to act quickly to make this a reality,” Koyabe appealed.
In response, senators assured the diaspora community that they would review the proposals with urgency.
They reaffirmed their dedication to improving voting access for Kenyans worldwide, ensuring that no citizen is denied their right to vote simply because of where they live.
“This initiative reflects our collective determination to strengthen democratic participation and ensure that geography does not become a barrier to voting,” the lawmakers said in a joint statement.
As preparations for the 2027 elections continue, the government is expected to engage further with relevant stakeholders to finalize plans for the expansion of diaspora polling stations.
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