Kenyans living abroad have proposed creating 15 diaspora constituencies, each sending a Member of Parliament and a Senator to ensure their voices are represented in the 2027 General Election.

The group argues that despite contributing over Sh780 billion in annual remittances, surpassing earnings from tourism, tea, coffee and foreign investment, they currently have no direct role in Kenya’s legislative process.

The proposal calls for repealing the Elections Act to establish roughly 15 constituencies mapped to global regions, ensuring bicameral representation. Representing over one million people, the diaspora argues that their political inclusion is long overdue.

“Kenyan diaspora commands over one million votes, a decisive electoral force whose engagement cannot be overlooked. Despite remitting US$4.95 billion (Sh637 billion) in 2024, we remain excluded from legislative decision-making,” Kenyan Canadian Association (KCA) President Ephraim Mwaura said.

Mwaura presented the Diaspora Bicameral Parliamentary Framework Proposal at Brampton City Hall during Kenya’s 62nd Independence Day celebrations. The event was attended by President William Ruto’s Special Advisor, Jaoko Oburu Odinga and Kenya’s High Commissioner to Canada, Ambassador Carolyne Kamende.

The framework recommends establishing diaspora constituencies across the Americas, Europe, Asia, Africa and Oceania, and adopting blockchain-based digital voting platforms modelled on Estonia, Switzerland and India.

It also calls for expanding voter registration, streamlining ID and passport renewals and linking diaspora savings with Kenya’s Diaspora Bond programme to channel remittances into structured savings, credit, and community development.

“The diaspora is a transnational constituency. Bicameral parliamentary representation integrates our voices into Kenya’s legislative process, while resources can be managed effectively through existing embassies, consulates, and the Department of Diaspora Affairs,” Mwaura said.

The initiative draws inspiration from countries such as France, Italy, Portugal and Senegal, which provide legislative representation for citizens living abroad. Mwaura stressed that the 15 diaspora constituencies would address issues affecting Kenyans overseas, including dual citizenship, taxation, labour rights, investment protection, consular services, and reintegration.

He urged the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to pilot secure digital voting systems, noting Canada, with its large and dispersed Kenyan population, as an ideal testing ground.

Mwaura argued that parliamentary representation, rather than symbolic measures such as a “County 48,” is the most practical path for diaspora inclusion. Embassies, consulates and the Department of Diaspora Affairs would provide supporting infrastructure, ensuring integration without creating parallel governance structures.

With remittances from Kenyans abroad surpassing tourism, agriculture and foreign direct investment, Mwaura said continued exclusion from national decision-making is untenable.

”Parliament must amend the Elections Act and empower IEBC to implement diaspora representation and digital voting systems,” he said.

Meanwhile, Kenyans in the diaspora and those behind bars could soon see their voting rights extended beyond presidential elections, paving the way for broader political participation in the 2027 General Election.

A Parliamentary Committee has proposed concrete plans to remove barriers to voting, aiming to ensure millions of Kenyans outside the country and in correctional facilities can participate fully in the electoral process.

The Constitutional Implementation Oversight Committee (CIOC) of the National Assembly argues that the expansion of voting rights is in line with the Constitution. The committee, chaired by Suba South MP Caroli Omondi, has recommended that the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) propose a law change to recognise national identity cards as valid voting documents for Kenyans in the diaspora, in addition to passports.

The move seeks “to expand electoral inclusivity” beyond the current 12 countries and remove barriers to participation.

“The commission [IEBC] is required to provide detailed plans for expanding diaspora voter registration centres with specific targets for the 2027 General Election and a roadmap for progressive realisation of diaspora voting rights,” reads the CIOC report.

During the 2022 General Election, 7,483 inmates were registered across 121 gazetted GK prisons, with Kisumu Main recording the highest at 494 voters. Kitui Women and Busia Women Wing polling stations had the lowest, with only one registered voter each.

IEBC noted that despite progress, only 10,443 diaspora voters were registered in 2022 across 12 countries, with a 58 per cent turnout, “highlighting the need for expanded voter registration centres to enhance participation.”

Articles 38 and 82 of the Constitution guarantee all Kenyans the right to political participation, including voting, regardless of geographic location. Article 82(1)(e) specifically ensures the progressive realisation of voting rights for Kenyan citizens residing outside the country.

The policy on voter registration and voting for citizens outside Kenya, first established in 2015 and reviewed in 2021, provides the framework for operationalising this right. The Elections Act and the Elections (Registration of Voters) Regulations, 2012, form the legal framework for diaspora voting, assigning IEBC the responsibility to implement these provisions.

IEBC has traditionally designated Kenyan missions in foreign countries as polling stations for citizens abroad. However, the distance to these stations has remained a challenge, particularly for Kenyans in remote towns, leaving many disenfranchised.

Diaspora voting was first implemented in 2013 under the 2010 constitution, limited to four East African Community (EAC) states, including Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi. In 2017, South Africa was added, bringing the total to five countries.

The 2022 general election marked the most significant expansion of diaspora voting to date, including the USA, Canada, the UK, Germany, the UAE, Qatar and South Sudan.

The commission reported that registered diaspora voters rose to 10,443 in 2022, more than double the 2017 number, “but still a fraction of the estimated millions of diaspora population.”

The CIOC has called on IEBC to submit a roadmap for the progressive realisation of diaspora voting rights and to expand registration centres beyond the current 12 countries with specific targets for the 2027 elections.