Types of Kenyan citizenship explained (birth, registration, dual)
Department of Immigration Services · sources read 4 Oct 2026
You are a Kenyan citizen by birth if your mother or father was Kenyan when you were born, even if you were born abroad. Others become citizens by registration (for example through marriage or long lawful residence), and Kenyans may hold a second citizenship if they declare it within 3 months.
- Deadline
- Dual citizens must declare their other citizenship within 3 months of getting it.
- Where
- Registration and dual citizenship applications: online on the eFNS portal (fns.immigration.go.ke). Citizenship Section, Directorate of Immigration Services, Nyayo House, Nairobi.
Steps
- Check if you are already Kenyan by birth: if either parent was Kenyan when you were born, you are, even if born abroad. You don't apply for this.
- If you are not Kenyan by birth, find your registration route (marriage, widow/widower, lawful resident, child, stateless person, migrant) in the eFNS citizenship information pack.
- If you are Kenyan and took another citizenship, declare it on the FNS portal within 3 months.
Watch out
- A child found in Kenya, apparently under 8, whose parents and nationality are unknown is presumed to be a citizen by birth.
- Having two citizenships is allowed in Kenya, but you must still declare the other one.
Who this covers
- By birth: anyone whose mother or father was a Kenyan citizen on the day they were born, wherever they were born.
- By registration (entitled): people regaining Kenyan citizenship, spouses of Kenyans, children of registered citizens and children adopted by Kenyans.
- By registration (eligible): widows and widowers, lawful residents, stateless persons, migrants and their descendants.
- Dual: Kenyan citizens who have taken another nationality.
Official sources (4)
- Citizenship (Citizenship Section) immigration.go.ke · read 4 Oct 2026
- Dual citizenship immigration.go.ke · read 4 Oct 2026
- Citizenship Information Pack (start page) fns.immigration.go.ke · read 4 Oct 2026
- eFNS portal fns.immigration.go.ke · read 4 Oct 2026