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Kenyans abroad want to elect MP

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By NATION Reporter
Posted  Thursday, January 28  2010 at  22:30

Kenyans in the diaspora are demanding an opportunity to elect a representative to Parliament.

They have consequently asked the Committee of Experts to include a clause in the harmonised draft constitution allowing for the creation of an “Abroad Constituency”.

Speaking on behalf of the Kenyan Community Abroad, Mr John Maina, said it was impractical to ask those in the diaspora to travel to their rural areas to vote.

“It is physically impossible to have more than a million people to travel to Kenya once every five years to vote,” said Mr Maina.

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“If we contribute so much to our gross domestic product, and we keep Kenya going when donors are pulling out, we certainly need to be represented in the August House.”

According to Central Bank of Kenya statistics, Kenyans in the diaspora channelled close to Sh47 billion back home in 2008 alone, while between January and March, last year, they sent close to Sh12 billion.

Mr Maina said several countries had implemented the idea, including Britain, India and Nigeria.

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Add a comment (63 comments so far)

  1. Submitted by alphawicky

    Mr maina came up with an idea, some are criticising him some are supporting but basically there is a need to play a role in kenyas future so let us innovate his idea it is a fact money being sent to kenya by the abroad community has some sort of economic impact a lot of abroad people are one day going to retire in kenya so any more good ideas ? no insults please

    Posted  January 31, 2010 06:15 AM  
  2. Submitted by hasaii

    Foreigners love kenya, Kenyans love abroad. I think it`s the high time our Grandmothers and Grandfathers diapers are taken care of by the the foreigners as kenyans do abroad. Kenyans in diaspora send billions every year. I disagree with mackshooter, Mbirime. I think somebasic knowledge is necessary while enjoying the diaspora. Every kenyan abroad is an economic migrant "outsider"m from Professors to diaper changers and will never fit in the "WEST" Home is best enjoy it while it still lasts.

    Posted  January 31, 2010 04:30 AM  
  3. Submitted by Pende

    Kenyans should not be "Naive" It is necessary to have a Minister of Diaspora like every other advanced Nations.These advanced Nations citizens are always in more than one place at the same time and that`s why they are so advanced. Wheteher we are professors, washing dishes abroad, changing diapers to old white men and women, Kenyan citizens deserve presentation in parliament, considering the facts the power of money they inject in the local economy.Kenyans need to think and refrain from having academic complex.

    Posted  January 31, 2010 04:00 AM  
  4. Submitted by okundu

    Fellow countrymen, we do not need a constituency for us living abroad. But we need to get involved in the governance of Kenya. Those interested in vying can go back like Prof. GL Wajackoyah or Ledama Ole Kina. We need to be able to vote in absentia once logistics are ironed out, perhaps not in 2012 but in 2017. If dual citizenship is realized we need to get involved, people this is our motherland.

    Posted  January 30, 2010 08:21 PM  
  5. Submitted by shidwe

    i disagree with mbzfrc7. i know we cant be in 2 places at the same time but where is ur patriotism ? it seems like you really dont care about what goes back in your own country yet your people leave there you might as well become a citizen to wherever you are. you think you know but you have no idea.

    Posted  January 30, 2010 05:43 PM  

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