The recent visit to North America by Langa’ta MP Mr Raila Odinga and other ODM-Kenya leaders has once again, predictably, elicited criticism from fellow politicians.

While it would be interesting to examine the reasons African politicians frequent foreign capitals generally, judging from the recent visits, there should be no cause for alarm. They have done nothing wrong, for they only speak to Kenyans about issues already in the public domain.

The Diaspora is an increasingly influential constituency that the national political class can ignore at its own peril. There is an emerging movement within the Diaspora that, nurtured probably, may transform the them from a wish-list waving, politically disengaged, barking-and not-biting-dog to one that is actively engaged in politics.

The Diaspora has graduated from merely demanding good governance and signing petitions. It has become an assertive and politically engaged group. Indeed, there is a serious effort among many to actually run for political office, support good candidates and influence the political opinions of kin back home.

Regrettably, Kenyans abroad cannot vote in the General Election despite repeated petitions to previous and current governments. Our peaceful country, with a vast network of diplomatic web in foreign capitals, continues to deny absentee citizens the right to participate in the democratic process.

With increased technology, Kenyans abroad should be able to register as voters and vote. After all, Iraqi citizens recently voted thousands of miles away from their conflict-ridden country. But it seems, like the previous regimes, the current Parliament and Government both fear the impact a Diaspora vote might have in politics. They have chosen to undermine the closest avenue through which Kenyans abroad could participate in local politics: The interaction with visiting political figures.

While heavily mediated, the interactions provide a window for direct participation in measuring the quality of political leaders. They also provide feedback through which leaders can account for their actions. And more importantly, they force political leaders to make public commitments that could form the yardstick for evaluating their performance once in public office.

Broadly conceived, the Diaspora is no special constituency. The needs of those who live abroad reflect those at home. Those in the Diaspora feel the same pain when leaders fail to perform. Similarly, they are elated when Kenyans make gains in democracy, the economy and sports. They worry about corruption and insecurity and lack of opportunities for young people. But they also celebrate victories such as the hope after the regime change in 2002. These are the issues we present to the political leaders when they visit.

Kenyans in the Diaspora are among the most brilliant immigrants. They are not praise singers and court poets. They are not card-carrying members of one or other party or movement. They are a conscientious and extremely well-informed group with divergent political beliefs and critical disposition.

They are not cynical in the way of the wag’s Navumilia kuwa Mkenya. They are patriotic, but not in Government Spokesman Dr Alfred Mutua’s sycophantic najivunia kuwa Mkenya. However, they are true to the admonition of the National Anthem: "And our homeland of Kenya. Heritage of splendour, Firm may we stand to defend".

Nobody can lie to them about their own country, and get away with it. Not even Raila. It is, therefore, misleading to assume that political visitors sold falsehoods about the economy, security, education and other policy aspects to a Kenyan audience out here.

Indeed, three politicians who have been here have been subjected to intense questioning on their past and their agenda for the country. For instance, during his recent trip to Washington DC, Eldoret North MP Mr William Ruto was asked to reconcile his previous role in the Kanu regime with his presidential ambitions. He was asked to account for his membership in the reactionary Youth for Kanu ’92, alleged corruption and his actions during the Moi regime.

Raila was asked about his party hopping tendencies and influence over who gets elected in Luo Nyanza. And Mwingi North MP Mr Kalonzo Musyoka was not spared either. He was asked about his alleged weak credentials, given his long association with the Moi regime.

And, each told his audience what his contribution was while in Government. Each has had to face the crowd of mostly professionals, and not a heckling bunch of gullible loyalists.

Elected leaders and presidential aspirants are accountable to Kenyans wherever they are — whether at home or abroad. Kenyans abroad may not have a vote, but they are taxpayers. It is for this reason that time is ripe for even President Kibaki or members of his Cabinet to make trips abroad and account for his presidency.

It would be interesting to hear what the Government has done, is planning to do or has failed to do about the problems the country faces. And there is a plenty on each score. The Diaspora might just be the swing vote next year.