The right to vote for all citizens has been recognised, acknowledged and accepted by nations worldwide. It is to be found in various international legal instruments and covenants.
The new Constitution strives to accommodate dual and multiple citizens. Their fellow kinsmen who are also citizens of other countries now have an opportunity to enjoy this right.
They are thus a welcome addition to the other Kenyans who have enjoyed this right in the past, as well as those living in Kenya who have only recently qualified to vote. Thus the Diaspora vote is of the same status in legal recognition as that of all citizens living in Kenya.
Imagined reasons
The police, the National Youth Service, game wardens and forest guards, patients in hospitals, remand prisoners, serving prisoners, a large section of the military and travelling Kenyans do not vote for various reasons.
The reasons these voters cannot be facilitated to vote have been loudly voiced by politicians. Some of the reasons are real, and some imagined.
A number cite inadequate financial resources and lack of knowledge as part of the reasons involved.
Politicians have always suspected that, the election authorities and their officials would be misused by their opponents to their detriment, if these Kenyans are allowed to vote.
The authorities, being aware of this attitude, have not found it necessary to carry out an audit of the problems and solutions that need to be confronted, and put in place mechanisms for these Kenyans to enjoy their rights.
Kenya now boasts of an independent electoral commission. Why then should there be talk that if vote registration and polling takes place in the embassies and consulates, fraud is likely to occur?
Does the politician want us to believe he has to be always present in such places to monitor the electoral voting and counting exercise?
Relies on agents
