Kenyans in Diaspora Issue 30-Day Ultimatum to IEBC to Register Them as Voters
Kenyans in the diaspora have launched a campaign to push for their registration as voters ahead of 2022 general elections.
The Daily Nation reports that the group has formed the ‘Kenya Diaspora Must Vote (KDMV),’ a volunteer public-private campaign to push for their listing as voters.
In the latest push, Kenyans abroad have issued a 30-day ultimatum to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to register them as voters.
In a five-demand letter, Kenyans in the diaspora want the electoral commission to explain the specific steps it has taken to comply with an order issued by the Supreme Court requiring the body to register them as voters.
“This letter shall serve as a final notice to the IEBC to demonstrate a clear roadmap to implement the constitutional provisions on Diaspora voting and honor the Supreme Court Orders within 30 days from the date herein lest we move with maximum speed to hold the commission's officials in contempt of court,” the letter copied to the Chief Registrar, Supreme Court of Kenya, reads.
The apex court issued the order in 2015 after the Kenya Diaspora Alliance and other civil society groups filed a petition over IEBC's continued failure to list Kenyans abroad as voters.
“Your kind attention is drawn to the landmark decision in New Vision Kenya (NVK Mageuzi) & 3 Others v. Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission & 4 Others, and the orders issued by the Court. Instead, IEBC embarked on games that were calculated to defeat the court order,” the letter adds.
“And here we mean Kenyans living not only in Eastern Africa but [across the globe]."
The demand letter is signed by officials of the new movement. They include Henry Ongeri (Chairman), Richard Ooga (Vice Chair), Rosemary Musumba (Treasurer), and Charles Michira (Secretary).
Other members of the movement are Peter Makori, Elijah Magutu, Adhiambo Doris Adera, Jeremy Ongeri, and Huldah Hintsley.
The movement further wants IEBC to publish budgetary allocations for the registration of Kenyans in the diaspora as voters and facilitation of voting.
“IEBC should stop sending Kenyans in the diaspora on a wild goose chase by selectively facilitating Kenyans who live in Eastern Africa to vote at the expense of others who live overseas,” they demand.
“No person or agency has been held to account for this gross disregard of the Constitution and disobedience of Kenya’s Supreme Court orders," the letter says.
"This disobedience of the law has disenfranchised hundreds of thousands of Kenyans eligible to vote in the 2013 and 2017 general elections. We do not wish to see a repeat of this despicable trend, but it is evident that the IEBC is hell-bent on maintaining the status quo."
Comments (13)
we should first fight to end this runaway corruption by suing these thugs
How about they process our documents expeditiously?
We should also stop sending money to Kenya and instead channel it thru Uganda or Tanzania.
hehehehe then mta-do!!.Majority of u don't care about kenya why insist to vote.U talk negatively kila wakati ya nchi yenu praising n worshipping the west.For me the pple who leaves inside kenya r the onces to only vote.Concentrate invoting pahali mnaishi namnapata services.
While you are fully entitled to your opinion, as patriotic citizen, I would believe you don't hold your personal opinion higher than provisions of Kenya Constitution the same having being reaffirmed by The Supreme Court of Kenya.
Voting for all kenyans including those in a dispora is a guaranteed right in Kenya Constitution.
Imputing nefarious motive for simple act seeking opportunity in another country while considering Kenya's 40% unemployment is poor judgment on your part.
Our country that has historically voted bad leaders is dire need of reasonable kenyans with good judgements.
To some extent hapo nimekubali juu when shit hits the roof, we all ran back here after inciting locals, remember Akombe? SO yes Diaspora waache, you vote where you are paying taxes. The best you can do is point out ills and let those on the grounds decide. Lakini we also say good things about Kenya Mhalisi eish, I know I do when I see something positive.
How about those in diaspora who have invested huge cash outlays and who provide employment to Kenyans?
I agree.
Diasporas should focus on how they can vote in their new country.
They are focused on the wrong things.
Pick your country:
1. Peoples Republic of Kenya
2. Central Republic of Kenya.
Secession train is picking up momentum, declare your destination 🚊
Tickets 🎫 have already been paid by the 11 diplomats .They just don’t know it yet.
The future is here...
Mkenyahalisi, am I reading your post correctly that only those who are out of the country ("leaves") should be allowed to vote?
@Nani,Mhalisi means those in diaspora should vote. Those who do not leave( left behind) should NOT vote. Thats a good one. I believe diasporians can pick better leaders. Thanks Mhalisi.
@Nani wacha kunichafua na kingereza yako.Am a gikuyu from kiambu n english is my 3rd language bana.@FG2 i hear u but u know i get mad when i read negatives kila wakati which u guys write.Hata positive thing iletwe na mwakilishi watu wa diaspora hucomment mbaya.
We have issues in kenya the way issues ziko majuu thou they many not b the same but let us always remember east or west home is the best.If u don't want anything to ever do with kenya concentrate with making yr base huko.Buy a nice hse there,pay mortgage there,vote there coz ur paying taxes there,buy cemetery there ndio watu wako wazikwe huko n go mum about jamhuri!I know 2 couples who r like that na wako australia 26 years!
This is a constitutionally provided for right. Whether diaspora decides to vote or not, that is up to an individual. But the right should be there open and wide for every Kenyan citizen on the planet, regardless of their geographical location. Sh..!
Dear Diaspora Kenyans. The time has come for you to Pick your country:
1. Peoples Republic of Kenya
2. Central Republic of Kenya.
Secession train is picking up momentum, declare your destination 🚊 .
Don’t be caught sleeping.
One-way Tickets 🎫 have already been paid by the 11 diplomats .They just don’t know it yet.
The future is here...
People’s republic here we come👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽😎
Unless you are paying taxes in Kenya then you really shouldn't be voting or demanding to vote. With the constitutional provision there should be a mandate to demonstrate Kenyans in diaspora are also paying taxes in Kenya.