What the law says about giving up Kenyan citizenship
Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act, 2011 · sources read 4 Oct 2026
A Kenyan citizen by birth or by registration can give up citizenship by making a declaration of renunciation, which the Cabinet Secretary registers; you stop being Kenyan once it is registered. It will not be registered if it would likely leave you stateless or is not in Kenya's interests.
- Where
- Directorate of Immigration Services: online on eFNS (fns.immigration.go.ke), then Nyayo House, Nairobi. See the Renounce Kenyan citizenship service for fees and documents.
Steps
- Make a declaration of renunciation in the prescribed manner. The Cabinet Secretary then registers it.
- The Cabinet Secretary first confirms who you are and where you live, and explains what giving up citizenship means for you.
- Once registered, hand in all documents that show you are a Kenyan citizen, and get a written acknowledgement.
Watch out
- It will not be registered if it would likely leave you stateless, or if it is not in Kenya's interests.
- Registration can be held back while Kenya is at war with another country.
- You stop being a Kenyan citizen only when the declaration is registered.
Who this covers
- A Kenyan citizen by birth or by registration who chooses to give up Kenyan citizenship.
Official sources (1)
- Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act, 2011 (No. 12 of 2011) new.kenyalaw.org · read 4 Oct 2026