Patmoz
By Njeri Irungu
Nairobi, June 18, 2025
The Diaspora Technical Working Group (DTWG) has stepped up its campaign to secure full voting rights for Kenyans abroad and expand their participation in the country’s national development agenda. As billions of shillings flow into Kenya each year through remittances, the group insists that the time has come for the diaspora to be given a seat at both the ballot and the policymaking table.
Led by U.S.-based team leader Danson Mukile, the DTWG is made up of more than 100 diaspora leaders drawn from various countries, organizations, and political affiliations. While the group is non-partisan, it is united by a clear and urgent mission: to ensure that Kenyans living abroad are not just spectators in the democratic process but active participants with a voice and a vote.
Mukile explained that while the Constitution grants voting rights to every Kenyan citizen, systemic barriers have made it nearly impossible for the majority of those in the diaspora to exercise that right. He noted that the current system only allows voting at Kenyan embassies and consulates—locations that, for many, are impractically distant. “I live in Dallas, Texas, and driving to the embassy in Washington, D.C. takes 23 hours,” he said. “It’s unreasonable to expect people to register, verify their details, and cast their votes under such conditions.”
The reality of this logistical challenge was reflected in the last general election, where only 10,000 Kenyans in the diaspora managed to register, and a mere 6,000 cast their votes. DTWG argues that this figure is deeply inadequate, especially when considered alongside the diaspora’s powerful economic impact. Remittances from Kenyans abroad now top the list of foreign exchange earnings for the country—an influence they say must be matched with meaningful political representation.
“We deserve a say in who governs and how our money is used,” Mukile emphasized during a press engagement in Nairobi. He revealed that the group has been holding consultative meetings with key political figures, including opposition leaders Raila Odinga and Kalonzo Musyoka. Both leaders, he said, acknowledged the need for reform and expressed openness to proposals aimed at easing diaspora participation. According to Mukile, Odinga suggested that Kenyans abroad could be allowed to vote up to two weeks ahead of the general election, a move that would ease logistical pressure. He also showed support for digital voting technologies, which could eliminate the need for travel altogether. Still, Mukile acknowledged that such changes would require deliberate legal and technological reforms beginning with Parliament.
But DTWG’s mission goes beyond the ballot. The group is also actively seeking to position the diaspora as a valuable partner in Kenya’s long-term development. During their stay in the country, members of the group have been engaging with government ministries, parastatals, and state agencies including Kenya Airways, KONZA Technopolis, the Tourism Board, NTSA, and the National Treasury. Their objective is to bring fresh ideas to the table, share professional expertise, and help craft policies that consider the aspirations and capabilities of Kenyans living abroad.
Martin Koyabe, another member of the DTWG, emphasized that the team is not in Kenya simply to make demands. “We’re here to offer solutions, not just seek favors,” he said. He explained that the group had already held discussions with stakeholders in finance, transport, housing, and youth development sectors. In the area of health, he highlighted that 60 to 70 nurses from the diaspora are currently in Kenya providing free medical care across various counties—a powerful example of diaspora support in action.
Koyabe also pointed out that different regions have different priorities. Delegates from the Middle East, for instance, are focused on addressing the welfare of migrant workers, while others are pushing for diaspora housing projects and investment opportunities aimed at creating sustainable economic ties with the homeland.
Although the DTWG delegation had hoped to meet with President William Ruto during their visit, the meeting was postponed due to security concerns. However, the group remains hopeful and determined. Mukile expressed confidence that the meeting would still take place in the coming week. “We came on our own dime—no sponsors, no handouts. Just patriotism,” he said. “We believe the President, who has always championed diaspora affairs, will hear us out. We also wish to thank him for establishing the State Department for Diaspora Affairs, which was a bold and welcome move.”
For the DTWG, the fight for inclusion is not merely symbolic. It is about fulfilling a constitutional promise, unlocking development potential, and building a more inclusive and globally connected Kenya. Their message is clear: the diaspora is not just sending money home—they’re ready to help shape the nation’s future.
