Malta’s Voice in Kenya: A Fight for Overseas Voting Rights

Imagine casting your vote for Malta’s next government while sitting in the bustling streets of Nairobi. For Maltese national, Joseph Camilleri, this isn’t just a dream, but a fight he’s been waging for years. Living in Kenya’s capital since 2012, Joseph is challenging the lack of overseas voting rights, a battle that’s taken him from the streets of Nairobi to the corridors of power in Malta.

From Valletta to Nairobi

Born and bred in Malta, Joseph moved to Nairobi for work, leaving behind the familiar streets of Valletta but never the sense of duty towards his homeland. “I’m Maltese, through and through,” he says, sipping coffee at a bustling café in Nairobi’s CBD. “But I felt disenfranchised. I couldn’t vote, yet I was still paying taxes and caring deeply about what happens back home.”

The Legal scene

Malta’s constitution allows for voting rights to be extended to overseas Maltese, but it’s a process that requires a two-thirds majority in parliament. Despite several attempts, this threshold has never been met. Joseph, however, isn’t deterred. “I understand the process, but I believe it’s time for a change,” he says, his voice echoing the determination that’s fueled his campaign.

Joseph’s fight isn’t just about his right to vote; it’s about the 20,000+ Maltese living abroad who feel the same way. “We’re a small country, but we’re a global one too,” he argues. “Our diaspora deserves a voice.”

Campaigning Across Continents

Joseph’s campaign, #VoteFromAbroad, has gained traction both in Malta and among the Maltese diaspora worldwide. He’s used social media, petitions, and even written to Malta’s Prime Minister and Opposition Leader, urging them to prioritize overseas voting rights.

Back in Malta, the issue has gained traction too. The Nationalist Party has pledged to introduce overseas voting if elected, while the Labour Party has committed to reviewing the process. “It’s progress,” says Joseph, “but we need more.”

Joseph’s fight isn’t just about voting; it’s about belonging. “Malta is my home, no matter where I am,” he says. “And I want my voice to count, just like everyone else’s.”

As the sun sets over Nairobi’s skyline, Joseph looks at his phone, a picture of Valletta’s Grandmaster’s Palace as his screensaver. “I might be thousands of miles away,” he says, “but my heart is always in Malta. And I won’t stop fighting until my voice, and the voice of every Maltese abroad, is heard.”