By RAYMOND MUHULAPosted Monday, November 2 2009 at 18:30
Kenyans abroad eagerly await the granting of dual citizenship status to those who hold citizenship of the countries in which they are domiciled.
Dual Citizenship dominated campaign rhetoric within the diaspora in the run-up to the 2007 General Election, especially in conversations with visiting Kenyan politicians. More recently, some MPs have taken the matter to the floor of the House.
Nevertheless, the right of Kenyans to vote outside the country would be one of the most important outcomes of this reform dialogue.
The population of Kenyans abroad has risen in recent years. Many went as students, while others went as expatriate workers or joined their families.
While there is no solid estimate on the population of Kenyans abroad, the amount of money these patriots remit to Kenya each year is an indication not only of their numerical strength, but also of their industry and continued engagement with their motherland.
It is estimated that in 2008 alone, Kenyans abroad sent $2 billion. Additionally, they continue to engage in various charitable causes, building schools, organising health camps, exchange programmes, and even more importantly, marketing Kenya abroad in their interactions with citizens of their adopted countries. Many tourists visit Kenya after hearing enchanting stories from those patriots.
Kenyans abroad also invest in the country — in real estate, in the stock market, and in transportation. A good portion works for international development agencies, universities and multinational corporations, some in very influential positions.
Others have been engaged, on temporary duties, to work for the government and share best practices. They have married citizens of the countries where their children are now citizens while their parents are merely visitors. This provides a major conundrum which the dual citizenship provision would cure.
IT MUST BE RECOGNISED THAT THE right to vote is a fundamental right that Kenyans abroad have been denied since independence. Kenya is among the remaining few countries that do not permit her citizens to vote outside the country.
In its last elections, in the middle of a debilitating war, Iraq made provisions for her citizens abroad to vote. The US allows her citizens to send their ballots by mail, if they cannot vote in person.
We are not at war, and Kenya has diplomatic posts in many countries. With a little planning, there would be several Kenyans volunteering to work as polls officials at our embassies. The Interim Independent Electoral Commission should make this one of its most important recommendations to Parliament.
As the debate on constituency boundaries, electoral and constitutional reforms continue, Kenyans abroad need to be identified as an important stakeholder that should be engaged in the debate. It is no longer prudent to view this group of bona fide citizens as outsiders with no stake in the future of the country.
It would be asking too much to create a special seat for Kenyans outside the country. But suffice it to say that, at a minimum, the Constitution needs to be amended to accommodate voting rights.
Whether this is done as part of the minimum reforms being advocated by various stakeholders or through the broader constitutional reforms that the Committee of Experts is working on, this time around, Kenyans outside the country should not be left out. They deserve the right to take part in the governance of their country.
Dr Muhula, a political scientist, writes on governance, security, and African politics. (raymuhula@yahoo.com)
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