NAIROBI, Kenya — The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has requested Sh502 million to scale up diaspora voter registration and participation ahead of the 2027 General Election, warning that financial constraints and legal barriers continue to exclude millions of Kenyans living abroad.
Appearing before the National Assembly’s Diaspora Affairs and Migrant Workers Committee, Acting Chief Executive Officer Moses Sunkuli painted a stark picture of underrepresentation, noting that although more than 1.4 million Kenyans reside outside the country, only 10,443 registered as voters in the 2022 General Election. Of these, turnout stood at 57.76pc.
Sunkuli told lawmakers that the Commission’s roadmap to 2027 is anchored on institutional coordination, legal and policy alignment, and operational planning, but remains heavily constrained by inadequate funding. Of the Sh502 million required, only Sh400 million has been allocated.
“The Commission is unable to carry out any diaspora mapping and registration activities due to unavailability of funding in the current financial year,” he said, adding that engagement with the National Assembly’s Justice and Legal Affairs Committee is ongoing to secure additional resources.
He indicated that mapping and registration could begin as early as July if funding is approved.
Legal and structural limitations also continue to hinder expansion. Diaspora voting in 2022 was restricted to just 12 countries, largely due to Regulation 34 of the Elections (Registration of Voters) Regulations, which ties voter registration and polling to the existence of Kenyan embassies or consulates. This effectively excludes citizens in countries without diplomatic missions.
IEBC warned that the regulation risks imposing unreasonable restrictions on the constitutional right to vote and called for amendments to allow a more flexible, data-driven approach.
The issue touches directly on Article 38 of the Constitution of Kenya 2010, which guarantees every citizen the right to vote, and requires the State to progressively realise that right, including for those in the diaspora.
Lawmakers raised additional concerns over accessibility challenges faced by migrant workers. Justice Kemei cited reports from countries such as Saudi Arabia, where some Kenyan workers lack control over their passports, potentially locking them out of the voting process.
Questions also emerged over alternative identification methods. Rashid Bedzimba sought clarification on whether national identity cards could be used in place of passports.
However, IEBC Director of Legal Services Chrispine Owiye noted that the use of IDs outside the East African region had been challenged in court, with the High Court disallowing their use in the 2022 elections.
Owiye added that the Commission is implementing a directive from the Supreme Court of Kenya requiring gradual expansion of diaspora voting to more countries and additional polling stations in each electoral cycle.
Committee members also flagged operational inefficiencies, including long queues observed in previous elections. Simon King’ara called for enhanced voter education and increased polling stations to ease congestion.
In its submission, the Commission appealed for legislative reforms, adequate and timely funding, stronger inter-agency coordination, and sustained civic education to boost diaspora participation.
Sunkuli cautioned that without these interventions, efforts to expand voting access for Kenyans abroad will remain limited, despite clear constitutional obligations.
