IEBC Plans Diaspora Voting Expansion to 16 New Countries, But Faces Funding Crisis

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission has announced plans to expand diaspora voter registration to 16 additional countries ahead of the 2027 General Election—but whether it can actually pull it off is another question.

Appearing before the National Assembly Committee on Diaspora Affairs and Migrant Workers in mid-April, IEBC acting Chief Executive Officer Moses Sunkuli said the new jurisdictions include Saudi Arabia, Botswana, Oman, Australia, Sweden, Switzerland (Bern), the Netherlands, Ghana, Italy, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria, Ireland, Turkey, Ethiopia, China (Guangzhou), and Mozambique.

The expansion is guided by population thresholds, operational feasibility, cost considerations, and the constitutional requirement for progressive realisation of political rights. But there's a problem: the IEBC doesn't have enough money to make it happen.

The numbers

According to 2025 diaspora data presented to the committee, an estimated 1,464,676 Kenyans live abroad. However, only 629,688 are registered with Kenyan diplomatic missions, and just 10,443 are registered voters—highlighting a significant participation gap.

In the 2022 elections, 10,443 voters were registered, representing more than a twofold increase from 2017. However, voter turnout stood at 57.76 percent, with notable variations across countries.

Diaspora voting has gradually expanded since its introduction in the 2013 General Election, initially covering Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Burundi. But uptake remains modest relative to the size of the diaspora.

The obstacles

Beyond financial constraints, the IEBC also flagged legal barriers affecting diaspora voting. Sunkuli pointed to existing regulations that tie voter registration and polling to the presence of Kenyan diplomatic missions, limiting the Commission's ability to fully implement the constitutional principle of progressive realisation.

"The Commission is unable to fully operationalise the constitutional requirement… and requests the Committee's support in amending this provision to allow a more flexible, data-driven determination," he said.

Article 38 of the Constitution guarantees every adult citizen the right to register and vote without unreasonable restrictions, while Article 82 obligates electoral laws to provide for the progressive registration and participation of citizens living outside Kenya.

What the diaspora is saying

Diaspora communities have long raised issues over limited voter registration opportunities, few polling stations, and weak communication with electoral authorities. In early April, the IEBC announced it would host a virtual forum with Kenyans living abroad on May 14, 2026, to address these concerns.

Danson Mukile, Team Leader of the Diaspora Technical Working Group (DTWG), described the session as a sign that "diaspora voices matter" and urged the commission to avoid repeating past shortcomings.

Associations representing Kenyans in the United States, Europe, the Middle East and other regions are calling for expanded registration processes, additional polling centres in countries with large Kenyan populations, and mechanisms for regular updates and monitoring following the forum.

While these measures are unlikely to be implemented in time for 2027, supporters argue they could significantly improve diaspora participation by 2030, ensuring Kenyans abroad have a stronger voice in national elections.

Sceptics, however, warn that without concrete follow-up, the forum could remain largely symbolic, with little effect on policy or resource allocation.

Reporting drawn from YNews Digital, Mwakilishi, Kenya MOJA.