Yusuf Hassan
Politics July 28, 2025

2027 race heats up as presidential hopefuls turn focus to Kenyan diaspora

2027 race heats up as presidential hopefuls turn focus to Kenyan diaspora
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua with Dr. Fred Matiang'i at Aberdeen, Maryland on July 26, 2025. (Photo: X/Rigathi Gachagua)
Since the Constitution gave the opportunity for the diaspora to participate in voting for presidential candidates, it is the first time politicians seeking the presidency are asserting more focus on wooing Kenyans abroad to vote for them.

Despite being considered not significant at just 0.05 per cent of the total registered voters, hopefuls seeking to unseat President William Ruto, such as former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua and former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiangi, are pitching tent in the United States of America two years ahead of the 2027 polls.

The number of registered voters in the diaspora in 2017 was 4,223, as compared to 10,444 registered voters in 2022. That indicates an increase in the number of registered voters in the diaspora.

Last week, Gachagua met with Matiang’i in Aberdeen, Maryland, as he continued his tour of the US.

Gachagua described the meeting as a "tête‑à‑tête" and noted that the two had a candid discussion on several issues affecting the country, as well as what he referred to as ‘the liberation cause’.

“During my visit to the USA, I had a tête-à-tête with Dr. Fred Matiangi at Aberdeen, Maryland. We discussed several issues affecting our country, Kenya, and our liberation cause. Our focus remains strong, and our commitment to the people of Kenya is unwavering. God bless Kenya,” Gachagua stated.

The meeting between the two raised speculation over potential political strategies ahead of the 2027 General Election, as new alignments begin to take shape.

The Eastleigh Voice on Monday spoke to Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka, who revealed that he is also heading to the US to woo the diaspora to consider Matiang’i as Ruto’s replacement.

“It is important to know that the Gusii diaspora is the biggest in the US, UK, Australia and East Africa, and they also vote. The Gusii diaspora contributes about Sh45 billion a year to the Kenyan economy; therefore, their opinion could be the change engine Kenya needs because they matter,” said Onyonka.

Onyonka, who is going to join Matiang’i in Minnesota next week, also revealed that presidential elections are an expensive affair that needs support from all walks of life.

“Since elections for the presidency are very expensive, we will be persuaded to support our presidential candidate. Their opinion matters. The diaspora is like the 47th tribe in the Kenyan political matrix,” said Onyonka.

Gachagua and Matiang’i, who have been on a US tour engaging the Kenyan diaspora, are widely seen as preparing the ground for the 2027 General Election.

Their trips, framed as a listening and outreach mission, have taken them to several cities, where they have met with various Kenyan communities, cultural groups, and business leaders.

Gachagua’s US trip began on July 10 with his arrival in Seattle, Washington, where jubilant diaspora Kenyans warmly greeted him upon landing at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

The tour has included stops in Seattle, Boston, Baltimore, and Maryland, where he and his wife, Pastor Dorcas Rigathi, are holding town‑hall meetings, cultural receptions, and investor events.

Matiang’i, who has resigned from the World Bank ahead of the 2027 presidential duel, used the forum to reaffirm his commitment to inclusive leadership and acknowledged the growing influence of Kenyans abroad in national affairs.

In a departure from standard stump speeches, Matiang’i opted for a more intimate tone, even delivering part of his remarks in his local dialect—a gesture that drew applause from the audience and underscored his connection to grassroots communities.

Prof. Macharia Munene, who is an expert in international relations, said 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.

According to an audit report on the registration of voters from the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), the total number of registered voters for the general election held on August 9 2022, was 22,120,458, while the number of polling stations was 46,232.

There has been a diaspora voter registration evolution. The IEBC Voter registration in 2017 was conducted in five countries: Bujumbura in Burundi, Arusha and Dar es Salaam in Tanzania, Kigali in Rwanda, Kampala in Uganda and Pretoria in South Africa. Moreover, the number of countries listed in the 2022 elections was 12.
Kenyans in diaspora Diaspora Affairs 2027 general election Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua 2027 polls Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i Fred Matiang’i for president diaspora vote

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