KenyaCradle

All About Kenya

Kenyan Citizenship

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The Kenya Constitution recognizes the following categories of citizenship:

1. Kenyan Citizen by birth

Applies to:

  1. persons born of either Kenyan mother or father.
  2. a child found in Kenya, who appears to be less than 8 years and of unknown
  3. parentage.restoration of citizenship on application by a Kenyan by birth, who had ceased to be a Kenyan.

2. Kenyan Citizen by Registration

Applies to:

  1. a person who has been married to a citizen for at least 7 years.
  2. a lawful resident in Kenya for a continuous 7 years.
  3. an adopted child by a Kenyan citizen.

Dual citizenship

Kenyan citizens by birth may also be citizens of another country.

Proof of citizenship in Kenya

Proof of citizenship and age are the most important elements of the registration process. In order to prove age, rule 4(2) (a) of the Registration of Persons Act, states that the registration officer shall demand the production of a birth certificate or an age assessment certificate issued by a Government medical officer of health, or a baptismal certificate issued by a minister of a recognised religious organisation immediately following his birth or other evidence acceptable to the registration officer.

However, for proof of citizenship, the law does not specify what documentation may be used for that purpose and seems to give the Principal Registrar discretion to decide on which documents are relevant for proof of citizenship.

The National Bureau of Registration has provided the following guidelines for proof of birth:

  1. Birth certificate
  2. Baptismal certificate
  3. School leaving certificate
  4. Age assessment certificate from a medical officer
  5. Child health card
  6. Notification of birth
  7. Letter from the Provincial Administration -Chief/ Assistant Chief
  8.  Sworn affidavits (for late registration)

For a person to proof his or her citizenship, the following a person may be required to provide:

  1. Parent’s ID card, and in some cases, grandparents ID
  2. Certificate of registration as a Kenyan citizen (Kenyan by registration or naturalisation)
  3. A letter from the civil service attesting to parents’ employment by Government and a copy of the parent’s civil service ID.
  4. Any other document/information that will be asked for by the registration officer.

For proof of residence, one may be required to produce:

  1. A title deed
  2. Agreement of sale of land
  3. Water and electricity bills
  4. Letter from the area Chief