Routes to Kenya Citizenship
Kenya citizenship is acquired by birth, by descent or by registration. Citizenship by birth arises where a person is born in Kenya and either parent is a Kenyan citizen. Citizenship by descent applies where a person is born outside Kenya and a parent is a Kenyan citizen. For foreign nationals who do not have citizenship by birth or descent, the principal route is citizenship by registration.
Citizenship by Registration: Qualifying Categories
Spouse of a Kenyan citizen: A foreign national who is married to a Kenyan citizen and who has been lawfully resident in Kenya for at least seven years may apply to be registered as a citizen. The marriage must be genuine and subsisting at the date of application.
Person of Kenyan origin: A person who was formerly a Kenyan citizen, or is a descendant of a Kenyan citizen, may in certain circumstances apply for citizenship by registration, subject to requirements regarding renunciation of previous citizenship where applicable.
Long residence and special merit: The President of Kenya has powers under the Constitution to register as a citizen any person who has contributed to the development of Kenya or who has demonstrated commitment to Kenya through long and lawful residence. Applications in this category are exceptional and are not guaranteed.
Dual Citizenship Under the Kenya Constitution
Kenya’s 2010 Constitution abolished the previous prohibition on dual citizenship. A Kenyan citizen who acquires citizenship of another country does not automatically lose Kenya citizenship. Similarly, a foreign national who acquires Kenya citizenship by registration is not necessarily required to renounce their former citizenship — though the law of their country of origin may require this.
Application Process
Applications for citizenship by registration are made to the Director of Citizenship and are reviewed at ministerial level. The process involves formal application forms, a comprehensive set of documents including birth certificates, marriage certificates (where relevant), police clearances, immigration records and evidence of qualifying residence. WKA Advocates advises on citizenship by registration applications and the evidence required to support a compelling application.