How to acquire Kenyan citizenship

The Constitution of Kenya and the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act, 2011 recognizes the citizenship rights of an individual in Kenya. There are various ways in which one may acquire citizenship in the country

CITIZENSHIP BY BIRTH-QUALIFICATIONS

If on the date of a person’s birth, whether or not born in Kenya, either the mother or father of the person is a citizen.

Procedure

1. Request the Form
2. If you have ever held an Alien’s Certificate (Card) (even if it is now expired), you will need to surrender this and obtain a “Certificate of Clearance” by writing a letter to

• If you are in Kenya, go to your local National Registration of Persons offices( usually located within local sub-county Commissioner’s offices) and request the form
• If you are abroad, you can request the form at your nearest Kenyan Embassy, High Commission or Consulate

The Director

Kenya Citizens & Foreign Nationals Management Services

Ministry of State for Immigration & Registration of Persons,

and attach the supporting documents; otherwise skip to 3.

3. Complete the Form and attach photocopies of supporting documents

• Applicant’s Kenyan Birth Certificate
• Parent(s)’ Kenyan Identification Cards
• Parent(s)’ Kenyan Birth Certificate(s) (if parent’s are Kenyan Citizens by birth)
• Parent(s)’ Kenyan Registration Certificate(s) (if parent’s are Kenyan Citizens by registration
• Parent(s)’ Kenyan Passport(s)(if abroad)
• Parents’ Marriage Certificate
• Grandparents’ Kenya Passports, IDs and Marriage Certificates (if parents are not available)
• 2 passport size photographs

TIP: Be sure to carry originals as well as they will also want to see these and certify the copies.

4. Collect ID Card

Collect your ID card after 6 – 8 weeks, and then proceed to applying for your passport

NOTE: If staying abroad, the process of getting the Kenyan Birth Certificate is as below:

1. a) Fill in the Kenya Birth Registration Form.
2. b) Attach copies of the following documents:

• Applicant’s foreign birth certificate
• Applicant’s foreign passport
• Parent(s)’ Kenyan Birth Certificate(s)
• Parent(s)’ Kenyan Passport(s)
• Parent(s)’ Kenyan ID(s)
• Parents’ Marriage Certificate

CITIZENSHIP THROUGH MARRIAGE

If you have been married to a Citizen of Kenya for 7 years or more, you qualify as a Kenyan Citizen by marriage as outlined in Section 11 of the Kenya Citizenship & Immigration Act 2011, which reads:

“11. A person who has been married to a citizen of Kenya for a period of at least seven years shall be entitled, on application, in the prescribed manner to be registered as a citizen of Kenya.”

Procedure

1. Request and Fill Form 7: Application for Registration as a Citizen of Kenya by a Spouse of a Kenya Citizen.( if spouse is alive) or;

Request and Fill Form 8: Application for Registration as a Citizen of Kenya by a Widow or Widower of a Kenya Citizen (if Kenyan spouse dead)

2. Attach the following documents:

• birth certificate
• foreign passport [Country of issue / number]
• Dependant pass or current & previous work permit(s)
• PIN Number
• marriage certificate
• spouse’s Kenyan birth certificate
• spouse’s Kenyan passport 
• spouse’s Kenyan ID card

3. Lodge at the Alien’s Section on the Ground Floor of Nyayo House, upon which Form 7 or 8 will be furnished and should be completed, along with photocopies of the documents listed above and 2 passport size photographs.
4. Once your Kenyan Citizenship has been confirmed, you can continue the process of obtaining your Kenyan ID and Passport.

CITIZENSHIP THROUGH RESIDENCE

If you have been legally resident in Kenya for 7 years or longer, you qualify as a Kenyan Citizen by residence as outlined in Section 13 of the Kenya Citizenship & Immigration Act 2011, which reads:

“13. (1) A person who has attained the age of majority and capacity who has been lawfully resident in Kenya for a continuous period of at least seven years may on application be registered as a citizen”

Procedure

1. Fill in the questionnaire form on Intending Citizenship and Form No. 9- Application for Citizenship
2. Attach the following documents:

• birth certificate
• foreign passport [Country of issue / number]
• current & previous work permit(s)
• marriage certificate
• PIN Number

Additionally, enclosed are originals of:

• Certificate of Good Conduct
• 2 Passport Size Photographs

3. Lodge at , Alien’s Section on the Ground Floor of Nyayo House, upon which Form 9 will be furnished and should be completed, along with photocopies of the documents listed above and 2 passport size photographs.

NOTE: All these documents can be downloaded on the Immigration Department’ s website http://www.immigration.go.ke/Resources.html