The Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs on 27 November 2012 informed Parliament that the Cabinet had decided that Kenyans living in the Diaspora will not be voting in the 2013 General Elections.
This was in spite of the chairman of IEBC having travelled and consulted widely over the last two years with the Kenyan Diaspora and repeatedly assuring them that they will be voting in the next elections.
H.E. the President himself during the visit to the UK in August reiterated that voting will be a reality.
The logistical, financial and time constraints that have been given as the main reason for this unfortunate occurrence are insufficient and incommensurate to the infringement of the democratic rights of Diaspora Kenyans.
We have been informed by chairman of IEBC that there are only 129,000 Kenyans registered with the Embassies and High Commissions outside of Kenya.
We now urge all Diaspora Kenyans to sign this petition to demand our right to vote and also demonstrate that there are more Kenyans in the Diaspora who are disillusioned with the Government of Kenya hence have never found the need to register with the foreign missions.
We need at least 1 million signatures.
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yeas are we not kenyans? why do you want to live as out tulizaliwa kenya kwani nyinyi viogozi wakenya munatukurudish nyuma sisi tuna haki ya kupiga kura kenya siya watu wachache tu tell as munatu danganya but we are wake nihaki yetu
http://www.kenyadiasporavote.com/
IEBC locks out diaspora voters
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission has ruled out registering voters living in Europe, the Americas, Asia, Australia and any country outside East Africa ahead of the March 4 General Election.
Commission chairman Issack Hassan said on Saturday that only Kenyans who live in the five East African Community countries will have a chance to cast their votes for aspirants of their choice.
Mr Hassan said that unpopular as the decision was, it had been informed by time and resource constraints.
“We have agreed to begin the process of diaspora voter listing with Kenyans in the five countries that make up the East African Community bloc,” he said.
The East African Community is made up of Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi.
But presidential aspirant Peter Kenneth expressed disappointment in the Cabinet’s decision to lock out Kenyans living abroad. (Read: Kenyans abroad to sue over voter listing rights)
In a statement, the Gatanga MP said the IEBC is an “independent constitutional commission which should not take instructions from any other quarters”.
Mr Hassan defended the IEBC decision citing time and money shortage.
“Much as we are an independent body, we have agreed with the Cabinet advice on logistical challenges that would not have made this possible,” he said.
The Cabinet rejected a request by the commission to register Kenyans abroad.
Mr Hassan had proposed that the voters cast their ballots at the consulates and embassies in the countries they live.
He said he had written to President Kibaki and East African Community minister Musa Sirma, inviting the government to assist them roll out a voter listing programme within the allocated time.
Mr Hassan said the commission would embark on an ambitious listing exercise to ensure Kenyans abroad vote online in subsequent elections.
“Any other election after the 2013 one will see those patriotic Kenyans cast their votes from their countries of residence,” he said.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission has ruled out registering voters living in Europe, the Americas, Asia, Australia and any country outside East Africa ahead of the March 4 General Election.
Commission chairman Issack Hassan said on Saturday that only Kenyans who live in the five East African Community countries will have a chance to cast their votes for aspirants of their choice.
Mr Hassan said that unpopular as the decision was, it had been informed by time and resource constraints.
“We have agreed to begin the process of diaspora voter listing with Kenyans in the five countries that make up the East African Community bloc,” he said.
The East African Community is made up of Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi.
But presidential aspirant Peter Kenneth expressed disappointment in the Cabinet’s decision to lock out Kenyans living abroad. (Read: Kenyans abroad to sue over voter listing rights)
In a statement, the Gatanga MP said the IEBC is an “independent constitutional commission which should not take instructions from any other quarters”.
Mr Hassan defended the IEBC decision citing time and money shortage.
“Much as we are an independent body, we have agreed with the Cabinet advice on logistical challenges that would not have made this possible,” he said.
The Cabinet rejected a request by the commission to register Kenyans abroad.
Mr Hassan had proposed that the voters cast their ballots at the consulates and embassies in the countries they live.
He said he had written to President Kibaki and East African Community minister Musa Sirma, inviting the government to assist them roll out a voter listing programme within the allocated time.
Mr Hassan said the commission would embark on an ambitious listing exercise to ensure Kenyans abroad vote online in subsequent elections.
“Any other election after the 2013 one will see those patriotic Kenyans cast their votes from their countries of residence,” he said.