Can the government take away your Kenyan citizenship?
Constitution of Kenya; Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act · sources read 4 Oct 2026
Only citizenship gained by registration (for example through marriage or long residence), or the citizenship of a child found in Kenya and presumed Kenyan, can be revoked, and only on grounds set in the Constitution such as fraud. You get written notice first, a chance to respond, and 30 days to appeal to the High Court.
- Deadline
- 30 days from receiving the revocation decision to appeal to the High Court
- Where
- The Cabinet Secretary for immigration decides; appeals go to the High Court
Steps
- The Cabinet Secretary must first tell you in writing that they intend to revoke your citizenship, and why.
- You get a chance to explain why your citizenship should not be revoked.
- If it is revoked, you can appeal to the High Court within 30 days of getting the decision.
- If the High Court rules against you, you can go on to the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court.
Watch out
- Grounds are limited: fraud or hiding facts, helping an enemy in war, a sentence of 3 years or more within 5 years of registration, or a conviction for treason or an offence punishable by 7 years or more.
- While your appeal is pending you are treated as lawfully in Kenya, and you cannot be removed until all appeals are done.
- A citizen by birth does not lose citizenship by taking another country's citizenship.
Who this covers
- People who became citizens by registration
- A person found in Kenya as a child and presumed to be a citizen by birth
Official sources (2)
- Constitution of Kenya, 2010 new.kenyalaw.org · read 2 Oct 2026
- Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act, 2011 (No. 12 of 2011) new.kenyalaw.org · read 4 Oct 2026