IEBC seeks more funding to expand diaspora voting to 26 countries ahead of 2027 polls

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is planning to increase the number of countries where Kenyans can participate in next year’s General Election from 12 to 26. 

Speaking before the National Assembly Diaspora Affairs and Migrant Workers Committee, IEBC Acting CEO Ledama Sunkuli petitioned Parliament for an increase in the commission’s budgetary allocation, saying it is yet to begin diaspora voter education and registration due to budget shortfalls.

The commission received Ksh.400 million but had requested more.

The quest to extend the listing of Kenyans in the diaspora to 16 more countries ahead of next year’s General Election is facing strong headwinds.

“The budget was not provided for the current year, but we are hoping that we will be given the funds from July so that we start with voter education and later voter registration," Ruth Kulundu, Deputy IEBC CEO noted. 

“And even when it comes, it comes late and we are given toward the end, and that’s why you see we haven’t started diaspora engagement because the funds come towards the end of the budget cycle.” Sunkuli added. 

Sunkuli said the commission is looking to expand its diaspora footprint to 26 countries.

The additional countries include Saudi Arabia, Botswana, Oman, Australia, Sweden, Switzerland, Netherlands, Ghana, Italy, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Nigeria, Ireland, Türkiye, Ethiopia, China and Mozambique.

“If it were possible, our target is to get everyone on board. However, because of those dynamics, we are not sure if we will get all of them. We are proposing to move to 16 new countries in addition to what we already have. We have requested for Ksh.500 million but we have been allocated Ksh.400 million to use," Sunkuli pointed out. 

The commission has also requested legislators to support an amendment of Regulation 34 of the Elections Regulations, which restricts voter registration to Kenyan embassies, high commissions, or consulates only, to allow for a more flexible, data-driven determination of registration and voting locations.