Premiered on 8 Dec 2025  Kisses From Kenya

What does it mean to vote for a country you no longer live in, and how does distance change your relationship to fear, safety, and home? In this episode of Kisses from Kenya, we talk about voting abroad, American democracy, and the emotional cost of returning to the United States.

In Episode 3, Brendan and Vuyanzi unpack the realities of being overseas voters. Vuyanzi reflects on antiquated voting practices in the United States, especially through the lens of New York, and the frustration of navigating systems that feel outdated and exclusionary. Brendan explores his fears about returning to the U.S., shaped by political violence, queer visibility, gun culture, and the question of whether home still feels safe.

Together they discuss civic responsibility, distance, belonging, and what it means to care deeply about a country that often feels increasingly unstable from afar.

This episode explores voting rights, democracy, safety, identity, diaspora life, and the emotional contradictions of loving a place you have left.

Chapters

• Introduction
• Whose America Is It Anyway?
• Voting from abroad
• Fear, safety, and returning home
• What democracy feels like at a distance
• Closing thoughts

Support the show

About the show Kisses from Kenya is a social and cultural podcast produced by Democrats Abroad Kenya. It explores personal stories about race, queerness, culture, politics, and the experience of being American in Nairobi. The views expressed on this podcast do not represent the official positions of Democrats Abroad Kenya, Democrats Abroad global, or the Democratic Party.

Listen, subscribe, and share If you enjoy conversations about language, identity, diaspora, and culture clash, subscribe for new episodes on a weekly(ish) schedule! You can find us on Youtube at ‪@KissesfromKenya and on all Podcast Platforms.

Follow Democrats Abroad Kenya on Instagram, Facebook, or on the DA website!

Contact us Share your stories, questions, or comments at: [email protected]