For the first time ever, Kenyans in the U.S. and six other countries will have an opportunity to register as voters in the upcoming general elections scheduled for August 9, 2022.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) announced registration starts Thursday, Jan 21st, and ends Feb 4th.
Those who wish to register as voters must book an appointment on the IEBC website. Click this link to book an appointment to register as a voter.
A consulate official in the Los Angeles office said booking an appointment is essential for controlling the flow of traffic and reducing crowding amid the outbreak of the Omicron Variant.
According to IEBC, the embassy and consulate offices will remain open over the weekend, during regular business hours, to facilitate the registration exercise and accommodate those who are only available on Saturday and Sunday.
Diasporans, however, can only vote in the presidential race.
In a January 7th press conference, IEBC Chairman Wafula Chebuti shared his commitment to diaspora voting.
“The Commission is determined to progressively actualize the right of Kenyans in Prisons and those living outside the country to participate in General Elections. Regulation 34(2) of the Elections (Registration of Voters) Regulations 2012 provides that:
“A decision by the Commission to register Kenyan citizens residing outside Kenya or to conduct elections outside Kenya shall be based on the presence of Kenyan embassy, High Commission or Consulate.”
Requirements to Register as a voter According to IEBC Website
A Kenyan citizen residing outside Kenya who applies for registration as a voter must;
- Have a valid Kenyan Passport
- Be at least eighteen (18) years old
- Present identification document to the registration officer stationed at the center.
- Manually fill out Form J being an application form for registration of Kenyan Citizens residing outside Kenya upon arrival at the registration center.
- Submit to biometrics and biographic data gathering
- Be eighteen(18) years old and above.
WHERE TO REGISTER
Voters in the U.S. can register by appearing in person in three locations during business hours and on weekends.
The Kenya Embassy in Washington DC,
2249 R St NW, Washington, DC 20008
Telephone number: (202) 387 6101 or (202) 796 2079
Website: https://kenyaembassydc.org
The Kenyan Consulate in New York City, NY,
866 UN Plaza Suite 308
New York, NY 10017 U.S.A.
Tel: (212) 421-4740 Ext 218/222
Telephone number: (202) 977 8609
Website: https://www.un.int/kenya
The Kenyan Consulate office in Los Angeles.
Kenya Consulate General in Los Angeles
3550 Wilshire Boulevard, suite 1900,
Los Angeles, California 90010
Telephone number: (213)529-4228
Website: https://www.kenyaconsulatela.com
Countries where Kenyans in the Diaspora can register to vote
Countries Where Kenyans voted in 2017 Presidential Elections
- Uganda – (Kampala)
- Tanzania – (Dar-Es-Salaam and Arusha)
- Rwanda – (Kigali)
- Burundi – (Bujumbura)
- South Africa – (Pretoria)
Newly-Added Countries to The IEBC Diaspora Voting Plan
- South Sudan – (Juba)
- United States of America – (Washington DC, New York, and Los Angeles)
- The United Kingdom – (London)
- United Arab Emirates – (Abu Dhabi and Dubai)
- Qatar – (Doha)
- Germany – (Berlin)
- Canada – (Ottawa, Toronto, and Vancouver)
MIXED BLESSING
The approval to vote comes after years of Kenyans in the diaspora fighting for the right to cast a ballot from their adopted homelands. While they’re excited to vote, hurdles remain that are likely to lower the number of participants.
For example, Kenyans residing in neighboring east African countries will be allowed to vote using Kenyan ID cards and valid Kenyan passports. Some Kenyans in the U.S. and Europe have asked IEBC to make the requirements identical.
Other diasporans have welcomed the move saying it’s the first step and that diasporans should appreciate the government’s effort to accommodate, noting IEBC can’t have polling locations all over the U.S.