Kenya's top politicians eye diaspora vote ahead of 2027 polls

Kenya's top politicians eying the country's leadership in the 2027 elections have trained their eyes on the diaspora voting bloc.

As opposed to the last electoral contests that saw politicians give minimal consideration to diaspora voters by making last-minute visits overseas for outreach missions, top politicians in the country have begun hunting for votes, and to drive perceptions on the international stage with respect to governance of the country.

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has set tongues wagging with his over two-month tour of the United States, where he said he'll be meeting Kenyans and listening to their concerns.

President William Ruto, too, has since his entry into office cultivated a culture of meeting Kenyans living abroad with the view of addressing their concerns.

Gachagua conducted his first official engagement with the Kenyan diaspora community in the United States.

Speaking during a meeting held on Friday in Seattle, Washington State, Gachagua described the encounter as both engaging and fruitful.

Prof. Macharia Munene, who is an expert in international relations, told The Eastleigh Voice that the politicians are wiser than before.

"The politicians have also learned from the current president, William Ruto, who had no time limit in campaigning. Besides having some votes, those in diaspora have money and influence to be tapped," says Prof. Macharia.

He continues to observe that the importance lies in the possible influence on the domestic front which the diaspora can exert through remittances, contacts with policy makers, activities in the media, or by way of 'family' discussions.

Gachagua, in his highly hyped tour has praised the Kenyan diaspora as a candid, hardworking and forthright community, noting their openness in sharing their views on the current state of the nation.

"I had an engaging and fruitful deliberation with Kenyans in Seattle, Washington State," Gachagua said.

"I have heard their concerns about our nation and their hope for a better Kenya, which we in the DCP Party not only believe in but also share, just like every Kenyan who desires to be heard."

Gachagua expressed concern about the growing discontent among Kenyans both at home and abroad, highlighting the collective pain and frustration regarding the nation's trajectory.

He emphasised that the insights and sentiments shared by diaspora Kenyans have strengthened his resolve.

"I am deeply concerned by the pain every Kenyan in every corner of the world has on the direction our beloved Nation is taking," he stated.

Other Topics To Read

• Headlines
• Kenyans in diaspora
• diaspora kenyans
• Diaspora Affairs
• Foreign Diaspora Affairs
• voting in diapora
• Kenyans diaspora
• Kenya's top politicians eye diaspora vote ahead of 2027 polls
• Politics

"This gives us the greatest impetus to move forward strongly, more than ever before, to liberate our Nation."

Gachagua left Kenya on Wednesday night for the United States, describing his visit as aimed at engaging with Kenyans in the diaspora and other international stakeholders.

The trip marks Gachagua's first travel abroad since his removal from office in October 2024.

Gachagua, who now leads the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP), revealed last month that he would undertake a two-month tour of the US.

He is expected to visit Dallas, California, Seattle, Boston, and Baltimore, where he will hold town hall meetings and attend social gatherings to promote his agenda for the diaspora community.

In the last General Election, Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya presidential candidate Raila Odinga performed better in the diaspora than his opponents, who included President William Ruto.

The 12 countries where diaspora voters are allowed to cast their ballots are Tanzania, South Sudan, Rwanda, Germany, South Africa, the United Kingdom, Canada, Burundi, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the United States of America (USA), Uganda and Qatar.

President Ruto, upon his election, made several promises to Kenyans living in the diaspora.

The President first fulfilled his promise of creating a State Department for Diaspora Affairs to boost service delivery to Kenyans abroad, especially on consular matters.

He then said his government was to oversee decentralisation and use of technology to bring as many services as it can online, noting that many Kenyans spend hours and days travelling to get consular services.

Ruto's promise to the diaspora was premised on the knowledge that the Diaspora is a crucial player in Kenya's economy.