Matiang’i: Let More Kenyans Abroad Vote in 2027

Matiang’i Decries Low Diaspora Turnout, Calls for More U.S. Polling Stations in 2027

Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiang’i has raised concern over the low voter turnout among Kenyans living in the United States during the 2022 General Election, calling for urgent reforms ahead of the 2027 polls.

Speaking about diaspora participation, Matiang’i revealed that while the Kenyan population in the U.S. is estimated at roughly 300,000, only around 10,000 registered to vote. Even more striking, he noted, is that fewer than 3,000 actually voted in the last election.

“With just two or three polling stations available, the turnout was predictably low,” Matiang’i said. “We cannot continue sidelining such a large segment of our population during elections.”

Matiang’i emphasized the need to treat the diaspora not just as remittance contributors but as active participants in Kenya’s democratic processes. He expressed disappointment that logistical limitations prevented thousands of eligible voters from exercising their constitutional rights.

“How do we expect Kenyans living thousands of miles from the nearest polling station to vote?” he posed. “The setup in 2022 made it practically impossible for many to participate.”

He urged the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to seriously reconsider its approach to diaspora voting, especially in regions like the U.S., where the Kenyan population is both large and politically aware.

Matiang’i proposed that increasing the number of polling centers and simplifying the registration and voting process would significantly