Kenyans in the Diaspora can now vote

By Halligan Agade/Collins Anampiu

Kenyans in the Diaspora will now be able to participate in national elections following a landmark ruling by the Court of Appeal.

A three judge bench led by Judge Roselyn Nambuye ruled that the right to register and vote should be enjoyed by all without distinction of whether a person is living in the country or abroad.

The judges also directed the National Assembly to enact legislation which will provide modalities on how to register Kenyans in the diaspora and allow them to vote.

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission has also been instructed to set up polling centers in all Kenyan embassies abroad in readiness for an election exercise.

The applicants led by New Vision Kenya, Kenya Diaspora Alliance, Dr Shem Ochuodho and Gichane Muraguri said the  ruling was a major step towards incorporating Kenyans abroad into active political and civic discourse.

The petitioners first moved to the High Court before the 2013 General Election where their case was dismissed prompting them to move to the court of appeal to challenge the verdict.