Can a dual citizen be an MP, governor, Cabinet Secretary or soldier?
Constitution of Kenya 2010 · sources read 3 Oct 2026
Only Kenyan citizens can be elected or appointed to a State office, and State officers and members of the defence forces may not hold dual citizenship. Judges, commission members, and people made citizens of another country automatically with no way to opt out are exempt.
- Where
- The High Court
Steps
- If you believe this rule is being broken, you can go to court, since anyone can claim that the Constitution has been contravened.
Watch out
- Judges, commission members, and people made citizens of another country automatically, without being able to opt out, are exempt.
- Dual citizenship itself is legal: a Kenyan by birth does not lose citizenship by taking another country's. The limit is only on holding these offices.
Who this covers
- Anyone seeking election or appointment to a State office.
- State offices include President, Deputy President, Cabinet Secretary, MP, governor, MCA, Attorney-General, Principal Secretary and the top military and police commanders.
- All members of the defence forces.
Official sources (1)
- Constitution of Kenya, 2010 new.kenyalaw.org · read 3 Oct 2026