Today, I had the honour of chairing the inaugural session of the Commission’s Technical Working Group (TWG) on Diaspora Voter Registration and Elections, held in collaboration with the State Department for Diaspora Affairs (SDDA).
This meeting marked the official launch of the TWG’s engagements — a critical step towards enhancing the participation of Kenyans living abroad in our electoral processes.
During the session, we discussed the Terms of Reference (TORs) that will guide the work of the TWG. Our focus is to review the legal and policy framework governing diaspora voting, assess current participation measures, and develop mechanisms that will improve electoral inclusion. We also aim to address logistical, legal, and administrative challenges associated with diaspora voter registration and elections.
I emphasized that the TWG will function autonomously, undertaking the technical work and presenting its recommendations to the Commission for policy consideration. As Commissioners, our role will remain minimal to allow the technical experts to drive the process.
Reflecting on previous diaspora voter registration initiatives, I noted that while substantial resources were invested, the results were not as impactful as expected. I therefore challenged the team to pursue innovation, efficiency, and value for money in achieving our mandate.
We must find better and smarter ways to ensure that Kenyans abroad are effectively registered and able to vote, without incurring unsustainable costs.
I appreciate the strong commitment expressed by the State Department for Diaspora Affairs, led by Mr. Edwin Limo, to partner with the Commission in ensuring that all eligible Kenyans abroad enjoy their constitutional right to vote.
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