Diaspora Kenyans could be allowed to use their national identity cards to vote in the 2027 General Election if Parliament approves proposed changes to electoral regulations.
The proposal is contained in a report by the National Assembly’s Constitutional Implementation Oversight Committee (CIOC), which wants the identity card recognised alongside the IEBC voting card for Kenyans living outside the country.
The committee, chaired by Tiaty MP William Kamket Kasait, argues that making a valid passport mandatory can keep some eligible Kenyans from participating, particularly where their passports have expired. “Other than the voting card issued by IEBC upon registration, the national identity card should also be considered as a valid voting document for Kenyans in the diaspora,” the report stated.
The proposal would mark a change to Regulation 37 of the Elections (Registration of Voters) Regulations, 2012. The current rule requires a Kenyan citizen living outside the country to produce a valid Kenyan passport when registering as a voter, although those living within the East African Community can use their national identity cards.
The committee said recognising IDs would widen access to voting for Kenyans abroad and remove what it considers an unnecessary barrier to participation.It It has also asked the IEBC to provide details on how it plans to increase voter registration centres outside Kenya ahead of the 2027 polls.
The push comes as the electoral commission expands its reach among Kenyans abroad. IEBC has announced plans to extend diaspora voter registration from the 12 countries covered during the 2022 election to 26 countries.
Diaspora voting has expanded gradually since it was introduced in 2013. The 2022 election recorded 10,443 registered diaspora voters across 12 countries, more than double the 4,224 registered in 2017.
However, the proposed change comes against the backdrop of a recent court decision upholding the passport requirement. In May 2025, the High Court dismissed a petition by Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah challenging Regulation 37.
The court found that requiring Kenyans living abroad to have valid passports was a reasonable limitation of the right to register as a voter, noting that a passport provides evidence of citizenship and lawful residence outside Kenya.
The new proposal therefore seeks to reopen the debate through the legislative and regulatory process, with the committee arguing that allowing national identity cards would make it easier for more Kenyans abroad to participate in elections.
Under the current system, diaspora voters are limited to presidential elections and referendums. In the 2022 General Election, voting was conducted through Kenyan embassies, high commissions and consulates in the participating countries.
The IEBC has previously acknowledged concerns over the limited number of registration and polling centres abroad, particularly in large countries where Kenyans may have to travel long distances to access the services.
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