Citizenship

GENERAL INFORMATION

Kenya Citizenship – Article 14(1), (2) And (5) of the Constitution 

The Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act 2011 which implements Chapter 3 of the Constitution commenced on 30th August 2011 and effectively repealed the Kenya Citizenship Act Cap 170, The Immigration Act Cap. 172 and the Aliens Restriction Act Cap 173, Law of Kenya.

Below is a clarification of Constitutional Provisions relating to Citizenship

A person born of a Kenyan parent irrespective of the place of birth automatically becomes a citizen of Kenya by birth.

The constitution confers automatic recognition to persons holding citizenship of other countries as citizens of Kenya by birth so long as they are able to prove parentage as fore stated (National identification cards, passports).

Kenya citizens by birth who wish to hold citizenship of other countries which do not allow dual citizenship may voluntarily renounce and would be entitled upon application to regain their Kenyan citizenship.

Kenya citizens by birth who ceased to be citizens of Kenya by voluntarily acquiring the citizenship of other countries and renouncing the citizenship of Kenya in accordance with the repealed Constitution may regain citizenship UPON APPLICATION in the prescribed manner below.

The persons who enjoyed dual citizenship but who by virtue of the repealed Constitution renounced or lost their Kenyan citizenship upon attainment of the age of Twenty-Three (23) years should automatically be deemed citizenship by birth.

REGAINING KENYAN CITIZENSHIP

Section 10(1) of the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act, 2011 provides:

  • A person who was a citizen of Kenya by birth and who ceased to be a citizen of Kenya because he or she acquired the citizenship of another country may apply in the prescribed manner, to the Cabinet Secretary to regain Kenyan citizenship.
  • The application under subsection (1) shall be accompanied by—
    • proof of applicant’s previous Kenyan citizenship;
    • proof of citizenship of the other country;

Requirements

  • Two duly filled application Form 1(Click to download). The form MUST to be signedand stamped by a Solicitor/ Commissioner of oaths.
  • 2 passport size photographs
  • Copy of Kenyan National ID Card (New Generation)
  • Copy of Kenyan passport
  • Copy of applicant’s Birth Certificate
  • Copy of the other country’s passport
  • Original and copy of the other country’s Naturalization/citizenship certificate
  • Original and copy of the other country’s Naturalization/citizenship certificate (translated if not in English)
  • Copy of the Police Clearance Certificate
  • Copy of Checklist. Click here to download

For more information on the application procedure visit the Kenya Department of Immigration Services Website.

Fees: € 520,00. For Payment Click here    

DECLARATION OF DUAL CITIZENSHIP

Section 8(3) of the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act, 2011 provides that: every dual citizen shall disclose his/her other citizenship in the prescribed manner within three months of becoming a dual citizen.

Section 8(4) of the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act, 2011 provides that: a dual citizen who fails to disclose the dual citizenship in the prescribed manner commits an offence and shall be liable, on conviction, to a fine not exceeding five million shillings or imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years or both.

Requirements

  • Two duly filled application Form 3 (Click to download). The form MUST to be signed and stamped by a Solicitor/ Commissioner of oaths.
  • Copy of valid Kenyan Passport.
  • Copy of valid Kenyan National I.D and / or Kenyan Birth Certificate.
  • Original Naturalization Certificate of the other country
  • Copy of translated Naturalization certificate (if not in English)
  • Copy of applicant’s Foreign Passport (Bio-data page)
  • Two passport size photographs. (NB: Most current photo taken maximum within the last one month.)
  • Fees: Fees: €225. For Payment Click here    

For more information on the application procedure visit the Kenya Department of Immigration Services Website