Kenyans in Diaspora to Vote in 2022 - Uhuru Announces in London

President Uhuru Kenyatta has promised Kenyans living in the diaspora that they will be able to vote in the 2022 General Election.

Speaking during his visit to the United Kingdom (UK), Uhuru noted that the legal framework needed to be first put in place to ensure the process for those residing in far away nations was smooth.

The 2017 General Election saw Kenyans in the diaspora vote for the first time, but registration was limited to those in Tanzania, Uganda, Burundi, Rwanda and South Africa.

In London for the Commonwealth Heads of Government summit, the President spoke at sideline meetings where he revealed that his administration was keen to recast Kenya's relationship with vital Commonwealth nations, especially Britain.

The historic Brexit referendum that saw the UK pull out of the European Union (EU) is seen by Kenya as an opportunity to review and improve trade deals with Britain.

Uhuru was keen to assuage fears that his administration was leaning towards China for support, stating that Kenya needed friends and partners.

[caption caption="President Uhuru Kenyatta at the Africa Leaders Roundtable business forum at Guildhall in London on April 18, 2018"][/caption]

"We are not looking East or West. We are looking for friends and partners," he stated.

He secured increased support from the UK for prevention of Malaria, Sh14.28 billion to be channelled through the global fund.

As part of the deal, private sector players are to match the funding.

Uhuru had earlier called for more investment in Africa and hailed the Continental Free Trade Agreement signed in Kigali as the key to intra-africa trade.

“Intra-Africa trade will increase efficiency and competitiveness of Africa’s industrial products through harnessing economies of scale of a large continental market of about one billion people,” he stated at the Guildhall on the sidelines of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Summit.

[caption caption="President Uhuru Kenyatta speaking at Chatham House in London on 17th April 2018"][/caption]