The Kenyan Diaspora in Germany should be elated after the Electoral Commission announced an extension of voter registration to the Diaspora community in seven other countries including Germany.
At a press briefing hosted by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) on 7th January at the Lake Naivasha Resort, the Commission’s Chairman, Wafula Chebukati, announced the extension of the diaspora registration beyond the East African Community to seven other countries. This is to comply with the Regulation 34 (2) of the Elections (Registration of voters) Regulations 2012, that gives Kenyans residing outside the country the right to register and participate in the elections. However, this will restrict the diaspora to only voting for the presidential position.
The extension will now include Germany, United Kingdom, Canada, USA, South Sudan, Qatar and the UAE. In the previous election in 2017, only the Kenyans residing in Burundi, Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda and South Africa were allowed to participate.
The registration of the diaspora shall be carried out from 21st January and 6th February 2022 at the Kenyan Embassy, High Commission or Consulate in the country of residence. For the diasporans visiting Kenya at this time, registration shall be allowed at the IEBC Anniversary Towers offices in Nairobi.
To register to vote, the Kenyan diasporans will need to fulfil the following conditions:
- be of at least 18 years of age
- have a valid Kenyan passport (the passport doesn’t have to be the new biometric passport, even the old version, as long as not expired)
- present their identification document to the registration officer stationed at the registration center.
Kenyan diasporans who had previously voted in Kenya only need to change their preferred voting station by registering at the embassy of their choice. For those that has registered in the diaspora previously, then a new registration at the IEBC constituency offices will suffice.
Amb. Amollo this morning confirmed to Mkenya Ujerumani, that preparations are on high gear at the Kenyan Embassy in Berlin and an official announcement shall be made later on this week with further details. The Embassy will only offer a location and facilitate the process, maintaining the IEBC wll be the lead in all the voting related activities.
On whether, we can expect mobile registration centers to be setup across Germany, the ambassador confirmed that the IEBC was hoping to use this as a pilot project to get acquainted with the terrain, with plans to extend it in future. Furthermore, the registration is open to ALL Kenyans living in the diaspora and not just those in Germany, so if you’ve got some friends, plan a road trip to Berlin and come register.
The election takes place on Tuesday, 9th August 2022.
UPDATE: 12th Jan 22
Below is the official announcement from the Embassy. Please note the updated registration dates 21st January and 4th February 2022 and the 2G+ Protocol required.
2/ Kenyans who reside within the European Union (EU) are encouraged to come and register to vote. Ambassador @amolosango welcomes you all to show up and register in numbers. pic.twitter.com/azmf8ipU4K
— Kenya Embassy Berlin (@KenyaembassyGER) January 12, 2022
3/ Further information will be availed soon. pic.twitter.com/3CCW9X2DJY
— Kenya Embassy Berlin (@KenyaembassyGER) January 12, 2022