Exiled from the Vote: Maltese Kenyan’s Fight for Overseas Voting Rights

Imagine this: you’re a Maltese national, born and bred, but you’ve spent the last decade living and working in Nairobi, Kenya. You’ve paid your taxes, you’ve cheered for Malta during the Euro Cup, and you’ve even managed to find a decent pastizzi joint. Yet, when election time rolls around, you’re left out in the cold. This is the reality for Maltese expats like Joseph Camilleri, who’s challenging the government’s decision to strip overseas residents of their voting rights.

From Birkirkara to Nairobi: A Maltese Journey

Joseph Camilleri, a 35-year-old IT consultant, swapped the narrow streets of Birkirkara for the bustling avenues of Nairobi a decade ago. Like many Maltese expats, he left in search of better job opportunities, but he never lost touch with his roots. He’s an active member of the Maltese community in Kenya, organizing cultural events and even coaching the local Maltese football team. Yet, despite his deep connection to Malta, he’s been denied the right to vote in the last three general elections.

“It’s frustrating,” Camilleri tells me over a video call, the Nairobi skyline visible behind him. “I’ve paid my dues, I’ve supported Malta from afar, but when it comes to voting, I’m just a spectator.”

Voting Rights: A Battle at Home and Abroad

In 2015, the Maltese government amended the constitution, stripping overseas residents of their voting rights after two years of living abroad. The move was controversial, with critics arguing that it disenfranchised a significant portion of the Maltese diaspora. According to the National Statistics Office, over 22,000 Maltese live abroad, many of whom are eligible voters.

Camilleri is one of several Maltese expats challenging the government’s decision. In 2019, he filed a constitutional case arguing that the voting rights amendment is unconstitutional. His case is still pending, but it’s sparked a conversation about the rights of Maltese expats and the role they play in Malta’s political scene.

Home Away from Home: The Maltese Diaspora in Kenya

Malta’s relationship with Kenya stretches back to the 1960s, when the first Maltese immigrants arrived in search of work. Today, the Maltese community in Kenya numbers in the thousands, with many living and working in Nairobi. They’ve established their own cultural centers, like the Malta Kenya Cultural Association, and even their own Maltese school, the Malta Kenyan School.

Camilleri’s fight for voting rights resonates with many in this community. “We’re Maltese, we’re Kenyan, but we’re also without a voice in Malta’s political process,” says Maria Azzopardi, a fellow Maltese expat and teacher at the Malta Kenyan School. “Joseph’s case is our case. We’re all fighting for a say in the country we still call home.”

Back in Malta, the debate over overseas voting rights shows no signs of abating. Politicians on both sides of the aisle have weighed in, with some arguing that expats should have a say in Malta’s future, while others contend that voting rights should be reserved for those who live and work in Malta.

For Camilleri, the fight is far from over. “I’m not doing this for myself,” he says. “I’m doing this for every Maltese expat who wants to have a say in their country’s future. We’re not just tourists, we’re not just visitors. We’re Maltese, and we deserve a voice.”