With Kenya’s 2027 General Election approaching, a growing number of political leaders are turning their attention to Kenyans living in the United States, making diaspora visits an increasingly visible feature of early political mobilisation.
The trips have become more than routine engagements with Kenyans abroad. Political leaders are using their American tours to meet supporters, build networks, promote their political messages and seek financial backing as preparations for the next election intensify.
The United States is particularly significant because it hosts a large Kenyan diaspora community and remains one of the biggest sources of remittances to Kenya.
According to figures cited in the report, Kenyans living in the US sent approximately KSh405.4 billion in remittances to Kenya in the year ending May 2025. The Central Bank of Kenya has also reported that total formal diaspora remittances reached about US$5.04 billion in 2024.
The financial importance of the diaspora has consequently made the community an important constituency for politicians seeking support ahead of the 2027 polls.
Former Deputy President and Democracy for Citizens Party leader Rigathi Gachagua is among the politicians who have recently travelled to the US. During his tour, Gachagua has held engagements with Kenyans in different states while promoting his political activities and maintaining a strong public presence through social media.
Former Chief Justice David Maraga has also announced a three-week US tour. His programme includes engagements with Kenyans living in several American states as he continues building his political profile ahead of the 2027 election.
Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has similarly visited the United States with a delegation, seeking to engage Kenyans in the diaspora.
The renewed interest in the American diaspora is not entirely new. Kenyan politicians have traditionally increased their engagement with citizens abroad as elections approach. Ahead of the 2022 General Election, then-presidential candidates William Ruto and Raila Odinga travelled to the US and United Kingdom, where they held meetings and addressed Kenyans living abroad.
The growing use of Washington-based lobbying and public relations networks has also added another dimension to political outreach. Such firms can assist political actors with international advocacy, communications and engagement with policymakers.
For Kenyan politicians, therefore, the diaspora has become an increasingly important part of the political landscape ahead of 2027, with American visits combining community outreach, political messaging, networking and fundraising.
As more leaders head west, the US-based Kenyan community is likely to remain a key audience for politicians seeking to strengthen their support networks before the next General Election.
