The electoral commission has sounded the alarm over deep gaps in diaspora voting, warning that without urgent legal changes and more funding, millions of Kenyans living abroad could once again be locked out of the 2027 General Election.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission told lawmakers that participation by Kenyans overseas remains far below expectations, pointing to a mix of funding shortfalls, legal limits, and logistical challenges that continue to slow expansion efforts.
Appearing before the National Assembly Diaspora Affairs and Migrant Workers Committee at Parliament Buildings on Thursday, April 16, 2026, Acting CEO Moses Sunkuli said the numbers from the last election highlight the scale of the problem. He noted that while the diaspora population is estimated at over 1.4 million, only 10,443 registered as voters in 2022, with turnout standing at 57.76 percent.
Sunkuli explained that preparations for the 2027 polls are already underway, focusing on coordination between agencies, legal alignment, and planning. However, he cautioned that lack of resources is already holding back key activities. The Commission requires about Sh502 million to support diaspora registration and voting, but has only been allocated Sh400 million.
“The Commission is unable to carry out any diaspora mapping and registration activities due to unavailability of funding in the current financial year,” he said. He added that discussions are ongoing with the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee to secure funds in the next financial year, with mapping and registration expected to begin in July if resources are made available.
The Commission also flagged limited access to polling stations as a major obstacle. In 2022, voting was conducted in only 12 countries, leaving out many eligible voters across the globe.
Legal restrictions have further narrowed the scope of participation. Regulation 34 of the Elections (Registration of Voters) Regulations ties diaspora voting to countries where Kenya has embassies or consulates. According to the Commission, this requirement limits expansion and risks placing “unreasonable restrictions” on the constitutional right to vote. IEBC is now seeking amendments to allow a more flexible and data-driven approach.
Low awareness among Kenyans abroad has also contributed to the low numbers, even after measures such as adjusting voting hours to suit different time zones.
Members of the committee raised concerns about access, especially in countries like Saudi Arabia where some Kenyan workers reportedly do not have control of their passports. “This committee should come in and clamp down on the issue of passports being in the possession of employers,” said Hon. Justus Kemei.
The question of identification also emerged, with Hon. Rashid Bedzimba asking whether national identity cards could be used in cases where passports are unavailable. IEBC Director of Legal Services Chrispine Owiye said the matter had been tested in court, with the High Court rejecting the use of IDs outside the East African region during the 2022 election.
He added that the Commission is implementing a directive from the Supreme Court requiring gradual expansion of diaspora voting to more countries and polling stations in each election cycle.
Lawmakers also pressed the Commission on operational challenges experienced in previous elections, including long queues. Ruiru MP and Committee Vice Chairperson Hon. Simon King’ara urged IEBC to strengthen public awareness on measures aimed at reducing congestion, including increasing the number of polling centres.
The Commission urged Parliament to support efforts to widen access by reviewing the legal framework, ensuring timely funding, improving coordination among agencies, and sustaining voter education campaigns. Sunkuli warned that without these measures, progress in expanding diaspora voting will remain slow despite the constitutional requirement for gradual inclusion.