It seems we have all been having false expectations. See, at the beginning of December I read in the Sunday Nation that the Independent Elections and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) was developing guidelines that would enable Kenyans in the Diaspora to participate in the 2012 general election.
By the end of the same month, Kenyans residing in the US were no longer feeling confident about IEBC facilitating their participation in the elections. Among their concerns was the slow pace and the need for poll stations to be established in easily accessible distances within the US. Even more interesting were the reader comments that came thereafter.
Some antagonism could be felt from commentors who thought those living in the US should stop acting spoilted and sacrifice money and time to go as far as it takes them to access a polling station, even if it means going back to Kenya. They said they should remember the realities back home and not expect impossibilities.
Then there was the more positive bunch that acknowledged the right of every citizen to vote, suggested solutions such as online voting and appointment of voting officers from among the Kenyans in the US. They also suggested that people meet the government halfway by going to the various representative offices of Kenya. Some said that remittances to the Kenyan economy from the diaspora was proof enough that Kenyans are willing to participate in the affairs of the country regardless of their location. As for those who believe Kenyans in the diaspora are nolonger Kenyans and have no right to speak.. well, no comment!
Anyway, seems the Kenyans in the US have more time to make their demands. The High Court has ruled today to push Kenya’s first General Election under the new Constitution to March 2013. Will this extension be enough for the IEBC to organize a scandal-free, theft-proof, technology-compliant, all-inclusive, border-transcending and peaceful election?
