Eligibility quiz
Did one of your parents become a Kenyan citizen by registration after you were born?
Benefits
Benefits for your childBenefits for your child
Kenyan passport and ID
Kenyan citizens are entitled to a Kenyan passport and national identity documents, including a national ID, birth certificate and certificate of registration.
A voter’s card is available where applicable.
A passport has its own validity and renewal rules, separate from citizenship.
If you have another citizenship, you may use either passport to enter or leave Kenya.
Your other passport can be endorsed to show your Kenyan citizenship, so you can use it to enter or leave without a Kenyan visa or permit while you remain a citizen.
Live in Kenya for life
Kenyan citizens can enter and leave Kenya, remain there and live anywhere in the country without immigration permission.
Citizenship has no expiry date and does not need renewing.
Study in Kenya
Kenyan citizens can study in Kenya without a student immigration pass.
School places, qualifications and fees have their own rules.
Work in Kenya
Kenyan citizens can work and run a business in Kenya without a work or business immigration pass.
They can also be appointed to public office if they meet the relevant qualifications.
Some jobs and professions have their own qualifications or licensing rules.
Get help abroad
Kenyan citizens can seek help from Kenyan embassies and consulates when abroad.
Own property in Kenya
Kenyan citizens have the right to own land and other property anywhere in Kenya.
Land and other property rules still apply.
Vote and run for office
Adult Kenyan citizens can register to vote and vote in elections and referendums.
Citizens can also stand for elected office if they meet the qualifications for that office.
How to apply
Applying onlineApplying online
Gather your documents
Prepare the required documents for your child’s application.
See required documentsOpen the application form
Create or use an eCitizen account and sign in to eFNS. Choose “Apply now”, “Submit Applications”, then “Children/Adopted Children” to open Form 11.
Open the formFill in the application
As the child’s parent or legal guardian, fill in the online application and print the resulting Form 11.
Complete the applicationDeclare the form
As the parent or legal guardian, declare that the information in Form 11 is true before a magistrate, commissioner for oaths or notary public.
Find declaration helpSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I declare Form 11 for Kenyan citizenship registration for a child before a commissioner for oaths?”
Submit the application
Upload and submit your child’s application as directed in eFNS.
Submit the applicationWait for the invoice
Wait for eFNS to process your child’s application and generate an invoice. You can find it under Dashboard, then Payments.
Find your invoicePay the fee online
Pay the application fee shown on the invoice through eFNS, using an available method such as card or mobile money. If you cannot pay online, print the application from Dashboard, then My Applications, and take it with all the required documents to the Immigration Counter at Nyayo House in Nairobi for payment and processing; cash is not accepted at the counter.
Pay the feeWait for the decision
Check your eFNS account and email for updates on your child’s application, and respond to any requests from the office.
Check your applicationTake the oath
If the application is approved, your child must take an oath or affirmation of allegiance before the citizenship certificate can be issued.
Find oath informationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How does a child take the oath of allegiance for Kenyan citizenship registration?”
Wait for the certificate
After your child takes the oath or affirmation, wait for the citizenship registration certificate to be issued. Your child can then apply for a Kenyan passport.
Find certificate informationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I get a child’s Kenyan citizenship registration certificate after the oath of allegiance?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Birth certificate
Provide your birth certificate.
Parent's citizenship records
Provide your Kenyan parent's certificate of registration as a Kenyan citizen. Include copies of their Kenyan passport and identity card.
Considerations
Things to think aboutThings to think about
Report another citizenship
If you hold another citizenship as well as Kenyan citizenship, you must disclose it within three months of becoming a citizen of both countries.
Failure to do so can lead, on conviction, to a fine of up to KSh5 million, up to three years in prison, or both.
Limits on state offices
If you hold another citizenship and are elected or appointed to certain state offices, you generally must give up your other citizenship before taking office.
This does not apply if the law of your other country does not allow you to give it up.
You can still stand for Parliament or county government while holding both citizenships.
Citizenship can be revoked
Citizenship gained by registration can be taken away for reasons including fraud, false statements or hiding an important fact.
You must receive written notice, a chance to respond and reasons for the decision.
You can appeal to the High Court within 30 days and remain lawfully in Kenya while a filed appeal is decided.
Documents issued to a person whose citizenship is revoked become invalid and must be returned.
Revocation does not erase obligations or debts that arose before it.
Giving up citizenship
You can give up Kenyan citizenship.
Giving it up does not erase obligations or debts that arose before you did so.
Discuss
Online communitiesOnline communities
Kenya immigration matters🇰🇪
English Facebook group for people interested in Kenyan citizenship
Join on Facebookr/Kenya
English Reddit group for people interested in Kenyan local life
Join on RedditStatehouse kenya forum
English Facebook group for people interested in Kenyan local life
Join on FacebookConsultation
Talk to a professionalTalk to a professional
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