**PRESS RELEASE** DIASPORA BILL AND THE RIGHT TO VOTE

A KCA (KENYAN COMMUNITY ABROAD) STATEMENT

August 8, 2007

The growth and significance of the Kenyan community abroad has been noted increasingly by citizens of Kenya, government, and the private sector. Much research into mainstreaming the Diaspora has been underway, resulting in the drafting of the Diaspora Bill. This has laid an important foundation towards the integration of the Diaspora into the economy and polity of Kenya.

The KCA (Kenyan Community Abroad), has through its 10-year service to the Diaspora struggled to validate the Diaspora as a constituency worthy of representation through civil office and Parliament. We acknowledge the steps that have been taken to establish the Diaspora Committee with the Ministry of Labor, an outfit charged with the drafting of policy affecting the Diaspora; and the pursuant establishment of the Diaspora Desk with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

There remains significant hurdles to overcome, paradigms to shift and rights to be asserted while we move steadily towards the goal of realizing a functional Diaspora Constituency. A functional Diaspora Constituency means having constituents who can practice their full rights and responsibilities on equal grounds with all other citizens, regardless of geographical placing. It is not right that the government should expect the Diaspora to contribute to the national budget and shape the economic destiny of Kenya, yet deny the same constituency their right to shape the political destiny of Kenya.

It is disheartening and destructive to hear some politicians still make remarks to the effect that the Diaspora has no right to vote. The right to vote is a given and should not be denied to any citizen on grounds of where they live. That the Vice President, Dr. Moody Awori, once spoke out for prisoners' voting rights is a commendable indication that he recognized voting as a universal, inalienable right. We ask Hon. Awori; the Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Hon. Martha Karua; and the Electoral Commission of Kenya not to play selective politics with this important right.

All voting scheduling and mechanisms should and ought to be inclusive of the Diaspora. The effort by anyone to continue denying Kenyans abroad their right to vote, through the power of public pronouncements, or through the denial of voting mechanisms, will be met with legal action to demand the full restoration of such rights.

It needs be understood that the right to vote is part and parcel of a citizen's right to self-determination, a right won through the sacrifice of life in freedom's struggle. To deny one the right to vote is to negate the very freedoms upon which a sovereign nation stands. KCA will continue to stand and act firm in order to ensure this basic right is recognized for all citizens, especially the Diaspora for which it represents.

KCA has in the past fought and lobbied along the corridors of diplomacy to win the recognition of Dual Citizenship in all draft constitutions. It is fully understood among all parties that all pursuant constitutional reforms, minimum or otherwise, shall include this as a right. In the same spirit, we urge that the right to vote be protected at all cost, and a logical process of voting be established for the Diaspora for the coming elections. The KCA is ready to work with all relevant parties to ensure that Satellite voting is in place for the coming elections, short of which KCA will consider taking necessary legal action.

The Electoral Commission of Kenya must bear the responsibility to ensuring the establishment of a Satellite voting system. The Diaspora Kenyans, the Missions abroad and the Embassies can avail adequate human, intellectual and Office resources for satellite voting. However, there must be political will to enable the full realization of this right.

Mkawasi Mcharo
President, KCA
Washington, DC

For the KCA Executive