[Please refer to How to Read a Country Entry for help interpreting this material. It was produced prior to March 2001 as part of a US government report entitled Citizenship Laws of the World. The accuracy and depth of these country listings varies significantly, and some information may be incorrect. At best, this page presents only part of the story for a particular country. Additional information for this country may be available in Country Information]

KENYA

CITIZENSHIP: Citizenship laws are contained in the Kenyan Constitution.

BY BIRTH: Every person born in Kenya after December 11, 1963, becomes a citizen of Kenya if, at the date of birth, at least one parent is a citizen of Kenya. This rule does not apply if: The father possesses immunity from lawsuit and legal process as accorded to the envoy of a foreign State accredited to Kenya. The father is a citizen of a country with which Kenya is at war and the birth occurs in a place then under occupation by that other country.

BY DESCENT: Any person born outside Kenya after December 11, 1963, becomes a citizen of Kenya at the date of birth, if at that date, their father is a citizen of Kenya.

BY REGISTRATION: Any woman who has been married to a citizen of Kenya is entitled to be registered as a citizen of Kenya. Certain other (unspecified) persons are eligible to be registered as citizens by virtue of other connections with Kenya after December 11, 1963.

BY NATURALIZATION: A person is eligible to be naturalized as a citizen of Kenya if they satisfy the government that they meet these conditions: Has attained the age of 21 years. Has ordinarily and lawfully resided in Kenya for the twelve month period immediately preceding their application. Has ordinarily and lawfully resided in Kenya for a period of, or for periods amounting in the aggregate to, not less than four years in the seven years immediately preceding the most recent 12 months. Is of good character. Has an adequate knowledge of the Swahili language. Intends, if naturalized, to continue to reside in Kenya.

DUAL CITIZENSHIP: Not recognized except for persons under 21 years old.

LOSS OF CITIZENSHIP: Kenyan citizenship may be lost voluntarily or involuntarily.

INVOLUNTARY:

The government may, by order after such procedures as may be prescribed by Parliament, deprive of their citizenship of Kenya any person who is a citizen by registration or naturalization on grounds specified (not identified) by the Constitution.

A person who, upon the attainment of the age of 21 years is a citizen of Kenya and also a citizen of some country other than Kenya, ceases to be a citizen of Kenya upon the specified date unless he has renounced his citizenship of that other country and has taken the oath of allegiance.

VOLUNTARY: Retaining citizenship of another country. Acquiring citizenship of some other country. A citizen of Kenya shall cease to be such a citizen if, having attained the age of 21 years, acquires citizenship of some country other than Kenya by voluntary act (other than Marriage); or, having attained the age of 21 years, otherwise acquires the citizenship of some country other that Kenya and has not, by specified date, renounced citizenship of that other country, taken the oath of allegiance, and made and registered such declaration of intentions concerning residence as may be prescribed by or under an Act of the Kenyan Parliament.

ANY QUESTIONS concerning citizenship, or requests for renunciation of citizenship, should be directed to the address below:

The Embassy of Kenya Consular Section 2249 R St., NW Washington, DC 20008

Embassy/Consular Telephone: 202-387-6101 Fax: 202-462-3829

Copyright (C) 2002-2007 All rights reserved.