Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka has called on the Senate to investigate the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission’s (IEBC) process for determining and distributing polling stations for Kenyans living abroad. Onyonka raised the matter in the Senate, seeking clarification from the Justice, Legal Affairs, and Human Rights Committee on the criteria used by the IEBC in setting up diaspora polling centres.
The law mandates the IEBC to ensure that Kenyan citizens abroad can participate in presidential elections. However, according to IEBC data, diaspora voter registration accounted for a mere 0.05% of the total voter register during the 2022 General Election.
In the 2022 polls, IEBC registered voters in 12 countries including Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, South Africa, the United States, United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, Germany, Qatar, South Sudan, Canada, and Burundi. Despite this, the number of diaspora voters remains disproportionately low. Only 10,444 Kenyans living abroad were registered in 2022, up from 4,223 in 2017.
Onyonka has asked the Senate to review the procedures used by IEBC, including the selection of polling stations, civic education for diaspora voters, and access to voter registration services. He cited constitutional provisions under Article 88(4) and Regulation 34 of the Elections (Voter Registration) Regulations 2012, which place the responsibility of continuous voter registration on IEBC.
The senator emphasised the need for transparency, accountability, and equitable access to information for Kenyans abroad, arguing that many are unaware of their rights or polling locations. He pointed out that IEBC uses several criteria to establish foreign polling stations, such as the presence of a Kenyan mission, registered Kenyan citizens with the mission, political stability in the host country, and the financial viability of running operations.
His remarks come amid increased calls from the Kenyan diaspora and advocacy groups for greater inclusion and the expansion of polling centres ahead of the 2027 General Election. The Diaspora Working Group recently reiterated that every Kenyan has a constitutional right to vote, regardless of their location.
Onyonka’s push also aligns with his recent political engagements, including supporting Fred Matiang’i’s potential presidential bid.
