Kenyans in the US, Canada and 10 Other Countries to Vote in the August 9th Presidential Election

Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has included seven more countries to the list of diaspora voting. 

The commission announced on Friday that Kenyans in the US, UK, Canada, South Sudan, Qatar, United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Germany will have an opportunity to exercise their democratic right of voting in the August 9th, 2022 elections.

The seven countries join Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, and South Africa that participated in the last election in 2019.

IEBC Chairman Wafula Chebukati announced that the voter registration exercise for Kenyans living in the aforementioned countries will commence on January 21st and end on February 6th.

“The registration exercise will be conducted during the official working hours at the Kenyan Embassies, High Commission and Consulates in the respective countries,” said Chebukati.

IEBC indicated that diaspora voters will only be allowed to participate in the presidential election but they have the option of changing their voting stations to Kenya early in advance if they wish to vote for other candidates.

At least 4,000 Kenyans in five countries voted in the 2017 general election, with incumbent president Kenyatta garnering 1,504 votes ahead of his main rival Raila Odinga who garnered 1,321 votes.

Odinga was victorious in Tanzania and Burundi where he garnered 394 and 48 votes respectively ahead of Kenyatta who got 393 and 47 respectively. Kenyatta won in Uganda, South Africa and Rwanda.