Unlike in Kenya, where elections are easily managed and conducted, due to the centralization of the electorate in a one single Nation called “Kenya”, Kenyans in the diaspora are so decentralized in so many countries far away from each other, in various Continents, thus making it next to impossible, to manage and to conduct elections in a way through which, all legible Kenyan voters in the Diaspora would be involved in elections, the same way it is done in Kenya.
The only viable and applicable methods of voting which can accommodate most Kenyans in the Diaspora, is the Electronic voting.
Most Kenyans in the Diaspora have access to computers wherever they are. Interestingly, Electronic voting is manageable, cost efficient and accommodating. The only current obstacle to the Diaspora voting exercise, is the IEBC, and not Ambassador Githae, as written in Mr. Nyaringo’s article.
Since Ambassador Robinson Githae arrived in the USA as the Kenyan Ambassador to the US, he has on two occasions, shown his willingness and desires, to see the Kenyans in the Diaspora vote, of course he has limitations in terms of boundaries. Although the Ambassador has no right to talk on behalf of the entire Diaspora or on behalf of the IEBC , he has the right to talk on behalf of Kenyans living in USA.
So far no one understands the fear IEBC has, over electronic voting of Kenyans in the Diaspora. It is high time the IEBC comes out with an explanation as to why Electronic voting cannot be adopted in Kenya’s elections by Kenyans in the Diaspora.
By Isaac Newton Kinity.
