Citizenship of an abandoned child found in Kenya
Constitution of Kenya and Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act, 2011 · sources read 4 Oct 2026
A child found in Kenya who is, or looks, under 8 years old, and whose parents and nationality are unknown, is presumed to be a Kenyan citizen by birth. Anyone who finds such a child must take them to the government children's office.
- Where
- The government children's office (Department of Children's Services); the case then goes to the Children's Court
Steps
- If you find such a child, take them to the government department for children (the children's office). If there is none nearby, take them to the nearest government office.
- The children's department investigates to find where the child comes from, which can include using the media.
- If the child's origin is not found, the department takes the case to the Children's Court to decide the child's age, nationality and parentage.
- The court can order that the child is presumed a citizen by birth and direct that the child be entered in the register of children presumed citizens by birth.
Watch out
- This citizenship can be revoked if the child's parents or nationality later become known and show the child was a citizen of another country.
- It can also be revoked if it later turns out the child was older than 8 when found.
- Bringing a child into Kenya or helping to abandon a child so the child gets citizenship is a crime, with a fine of up to KSh 10 million, up to 10 years in prison, or both.
Who this covers
- A child found in Kenya, under 8 or appearing to be, whose parents and nationality are not known.
Official sources (2)
- Constitution of Kenya, 2010 new.kenyalaw.org · read 3 Oct 2026
- Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act, 2011 (No. 12 of 2011) new.kenyalaw.org · read 4 Oct 2026