The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
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Kenyans living abroad are stepping up pressure on the government to end decades of “disenfranchisement” by implementing a secure, blockchain-based online voting system ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The formal petition was presented to Jaoko Oburu Odinga, Special Advisor to the President, during a flag-raising ceremony at Brampton City Hall in Canada.
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Led by the Kenyan Canadian Association (KCA), diaspora leaders warned that without urgent legislative reform, the country’s global citizenry would remain sidelined in the democratic process.
The Push for Digital Reform
Ephraim Mwaura, President of the KCA, highlighted the massive untapped potential of the diaspora, which represents over one million potential votes. Despite constitutional guarantees, the 2022 elections saw a dismal turnout of only 10,444 diaspora voters globally, largely due to a lack of polling stations.
In vast countries like Canada and the U.S., voting was restricted to just three diplomatic locations each.
To solve this, the proposal urges Parliament to amend the Elections Act, allowing the IEBC to pilot and roll out digital voting platforms. The leaders pointed to successful models in Estonia, Switzerland, and India as proof that blockchain technology can provide:
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End-to-end verifiability and immutable audit trails.
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Remote participation for all elective positions.
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Reduced operational costs compared to physical overseas polling.
Direct Representation and “Diaspora Seats”
Beyond technology, the petition calls for a radical restructuring of Kenya’s parliamentary map. The leaders proposed the creation of 20 dedicated diaspora constituencies, allowing for the election of representatives to both the National Assembly and the Senate.
This model, used by countries such as France and Senegal, aims to give the diaspora a direct voice on issues like:
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Dual citizenship and consular service improvements.
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A dedicated fund for the repatriation of deceased Kenyans.
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Structured investment incentives for remittances.
Economic Giants, Political Outsiders
The push for inclusion is backed by the diaspora’s massive economic weight. In 2024, Kenyans abroad remitted an estimated $4.95 billion (Sh640 billion), making it the nation’s largest source of foreign inflow—surpassing tourism, tea, and coffee exports.
“Meaningful participation will only be realized when Kenyans abroad are genuinely represented across the country’s social, economic, and political landscape,” Mwaura stated.
Leaders argue that granting voting rights and legislative seats is not just a matter of fairness, but a strategic move to unlock global networks for trade, education, and innovation.
The proposal now moves to the government and Parliament, where supporters hope to see a pilot program launched in Canada to test the security and scalability of online voting before the next national polls.
