Kenya

Last Updated: 2026-04-02

Official Portal: Department of Immigration Services — Kenya

Embassy Finder: Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs

Quick Facts

Category	Details
Residency for naturalization	7 years lawful residence
Language requirement	Ability to communicate in Swahili or English (both are official languages)
Civics test	No formal test; must demonstrate adequate knowledge of Kenya
Processing time	12—24 months (can be longer due to vetting backlogs)
Naturalization fee	KES 50,000 (approximately USD 385)
Dual citizenship	Yes — fully permitted since August 2010
Citizenship by birth in Kenya	Yes (conditional jus soli for children born in Kenya to at least one citizen parent)
Citizenship by descent	Automatic if either parent is Kenyan
Governing law	Constitution of Kenya, 2010 (Chapter 3); Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act, 2011

Dual Citizenship

Yes — Kenya fully permits dual and multiple citizenship. This was one of the landmark changes introduced by the 2010 Constitution, which took effect on 27 August 2010.

Pre-2010: Under the 1963 Constitution and the Kenya Citizenship Act (Cap 170), dual citizenship was not permitted. Kenyan citizens who acquired foreign nationality automatically lost Kenyan citizenship. This affected hundreds of thousands of Kenyans in the diaspora, particularly in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia.

Post-2010 (Article 16): “A citizen by birth does not lose citizenship by acquiring the citizenship of another country.” This constitutional guarantee means:

Kenyans who acquire foreign nationality retain their Kenyan citizenship automatically.
Persons who had previously lost Kenyan citizenship by acquiring foreign nationality may apply for restoration.
Foreign nationals naturalizing in Kenya are not required to renounce their existing citizenship.
Children born to Kenyan parents abroad who also acquire the citizenship of the birth country hold dual citizenship from birth.

The 2010 constitutional reform was driven in large part by the Kenyan diaspora, which advocated strongly for the right to retain Kenyan citizenship while holding foreign passports. Kenya is now one of the most diaspora-friendly nations in Africa regarding citizenship policy.

Acquisition of Nationality

By Birth (Jus Soli)

Kenya applies conditional jus soli. A person born in Kenya acquires citizenship at birth if, at the date of birth, one of the person’s parents is a citizen of Kenya.

A child born in Kenya to two foreign parents does not automatically acquire Kenyan citizenship. However, a child found in Kenya who is, or appears to be, less than 8 years of age and whose nationality and parents are not known, is presumed to be a citizen.

By Descent (Jus Sanguinis)

Under the 2010 Constitution, citizenship by descent is transmitted through either parent, eliminating previous gender discrimination:

Either parent Kenyan: A person born outside Kenya is a citizen by birth if, at the date of birth, the person’s mother or father is or was a citizen.
This applies regardless of the parents’ marital status.
Registration at a Kenyan embassy abroad is recommended but not strictly required for the right to arise.

Historical correction: Prior to 2010, citizenship was transmitted only through the father. The 2010 Constitution retroactively corrected this — persons born before 2010 to Kenyan mothers and foreign fathers may now claim citizenship.

By Adoption

A child adopted by a Kenyan citizen acquires citizenship upon finalization of the adoption under Kenyan law. The child must be a minor at the time of adoption.

By Marriage

Marriage to a Kenyan citizen does not automatically confer citizenship. However, a foreign spouse of a Kenyan citizen may apply for citizenship after being lawfully married for at least 7 years and being lawfully resident in Kenya.

By Naturalization

Requirement	Details
Residence	7 years continuous lawful residence in Kenya
Age	Must be at least 21 years old
Language	Ability to communicate in Swahili or English
Good character	Must be of good moral character; no serious criminal convictions
Intention	Must intend to continue residing in Kenya
Means of livelihood	Must have adequate means of support
Renunciation	Not required (dual citizenship permitted)
Oath	Must take the oath of allegiance
Approval	Granted by the Cabinet Secretary for Immigration on recommendation of the Immigration Board

Loss and Renunciation

Voluntary Renunciation

A Kenyan citizen may renounce citizenship by making a declaration to the Cabinet Secretary. The renunciation is not effective if it would render the person stateless.

Involuntary Loss

Ground	Details
Fraud or misrepresentation	Citizenship obtained through fraud, false representation, or concealment of material fact may be revoked
Treason or national security	Conviction for treason or engaging in activities prejudicial to national security (naturalized citizens only)
Stateless safeguard	Revocation may not be carried out if the person would be rendered stateless

Important: Under the 2010 Constitution, citizenship by birth cannot be revoked — only citizenship acquired by naturalization or registration is subject to involuntary loss. This provides constitutional protection for birth citizens.

Restoration of Nationality

The 2010 Constitution and the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act, 2011 provide for restoration of citizenship:

Former citizens who lost citizenship before 2010 (by acquiring foreign nationality under the old law) may apply for restoration.
Application is made to the Department of Immigration Services.
The applicant must demonstrate that they were a citizen by birth and lost citizenship solely by operation of the old dual citizenship prohibition.
Restoration has been broadly granted since 2010, though processing can be slow.

The restoration provision was a critical part of the 2010 constitutional bargain with the diaspora.

Stateless Persons and Foundlings

Kenya is a party to the 1954 Convention Relating to the Status of Stateless Persons and has signed (but not ratified) the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness.

Foundlings: A child found in Kenya who appears to be under 8 years of age and whose nationality and parents are unknown is presumed to be a Kenyan citizen.
Statelessness concern: Certain communities in Kenya, including the Nubian, Somali-origin, and coastal communities, have historically faced difficulty proving citizenship due to documentation requirements and the legacy of colonial-era identity systems. The 2010 Constitution and ongoing reforms aim to address these issues, but practical barriers persist.

Document Checklist

Sources

Constitution of Kenya, 2010 — Chapter 3: Citizenship. http://www.kenyalaw.org/lex/actview.xql?actid=Const2010
Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act, 2011 — Primary implementing legislation. http://www.kenyalaw.org/
Department of Immigration Services — Application portal and procedures. https://immigration.go.ke/
Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs — Embassy finder. https://www.mfa.go.ke/
UNHCR Kenya — Statelessness and refugee documentation. https://www.unhcr.org/kenya
Transparency International Kenya — Corruption Perceptions Index. https://www.transparency.org/

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