IEBC Urged To Give Policy On Diaspora Voting

Kenyans in the Diaspora wants a clear cut policy on how they will vote as par the new constitution. The IEBC Director in charge of voter registration Immaculate Kasait says Kenyans living abroad are enthusiastic to take part in the elections but feel they have not been equipped with knowledge on how this will take place.

Kenyans in Diaspora are estimated to be three million people a force that must be put into consideration and given a voice in the forth coming General Elections.

According to Mwakilishi.com, a news Website on Kenyans living abroad, the number of those living in the diaspora is equivalent to a constituency and therefore has a right to be counted in policy making.

"Kenya's Diaspora is a three million people force that must be respected and given a voice in the upcoming General Elections. On an equivalent basis, Diaspora comprises of several constituencies."

Furthermore, it is a requirement by the constitution that individuals who have taken flights to greener pastures are given a chance to take part in the electioneering process in this country.

IEBC Director in charge of voter registration says regulations guiding abroad voters must be put in place urgently.

In December last year IEBC undertook a mission to meet Kenyans living in US to establish how the voting is likely to be conducted.

But many viewed that mission as disappointing because IEBC team failed to commit to any ideas on voting.

The team's preconceived ideology was that Diaspora voting will be administered by the two Kenyan Missions Los Angeles and Washington DC in the US but there fears that these voters might turn out to water the country elections.

In an article in the Mwakilishi.com the writer notes "Diaspora financial strength while appreciated as a sustainable source of Kenya's economic growth is not equally appreciated in the policy circles. Diaspora is hailed when remitting funds but admonished during policy development.

Only time that will tell whether those residing abroad will have ‘a say' in this year's elections. If so Kenya will be the first country in the East African region to have its citizens abroad engage in electoral voting.

http://www.kbc.co.ke/news.asp?nid=74544