Voter listing set to start on Monday

Voter registration starts on Monday at close to 25,000 polling centres across the country.

It will be launched by President Kibaki at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre in Nairobi amid protests by Kenyans in the diaspora that they have not been briefed on the exercise.

The electoral commission suspended registration plans in the diaspora last month to establish the number of Kenyans living abroad who are eligible to vote and also await a court ruling on a case filed against the exercise.

On Sunday, Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) commissioner Yusuf Nzibo, who is in charge of the diaspora vote, said that the case, which was filed by some Kenyans in the diaspora, had disrupted the commission’s plans for voter registration abroad.

“We had to stop the plans, but we will meet on Tuesday or Wednesday to announce a new date for registration in the diaspora,” Dr Nzibo said.

Dr Nzibo noted that there was confusion over the actual number of Kenyans living abroad.

“We have already set aside 140 BVR kits. When we meet the Foreign Affairs officials we will then finalise on the plans and probably make an announcement regarding this matter,” he said.

However, he said the commission had advertised for returning officers and electoral clerks for the exercise that is estimated to cost Sh150 million.

The commission plans to register at least 18 million voters, with some saying the figure could rise to 22.5 million. The 30-day exercise is expected to end on December 16, followed by 15 days of voter register verification.

On Sunday, there were concerns that the IEBC was yet to update Kenyan embassies on the listing progress.

For instance, the Kenyan Embassy in Washington, DC, said in a statement that it was awaiting direction from the IEBC. “I am concerned that Kenya’s largest diaspora may very well miss out on this historic event,” said ambassador Elkana Odembo on Saturday.

IEBC chairman Issack Hassan said early this month that Kenyans in the US will register at the embassy in Washington DC, the United Nations mission in New York and the consulate in Los Angeles.

The same venues are also expected to serve as polling stations during the elections.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs should expedite sharing of relevant information with the commission to enable finalisation of logistical details for the diaspora registration,” Mr Hassan said.

Last week, High Court judge David Majanja dismissed a case filed by some diaspora voters and ruled that the IEBC was complying with the law allowing “progressive realisation” of the right to vote by Kenyans abroad.

The registration will take place in 47 missions and consulates and the Foreign Affairs Ministry is to nominate some embassy officials who will also assist in the registration. (READ: IDs appeal as voter listing begins)

Additional reporting by Antony Karanja