Who is a Kenyan citizen by birth
Constitution of Kenya and Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act, 2011 · sources read 4 Oct 2026
A child is a Kenyan citizen by birth if, on the day they are born, either the mother or the father is a Kenyan citizen, whether the child is born in Kenya or abroad. For a child born outside Kenya, the Act now only needs the mother or father to be a Kenyan citizen; it no longer says the parent must be a citizen by birth.
- Where
- Civil Registration Services (in Kenya or at a Kenyan mission abroad) to register the birth; Directorate of Immigration Services for a passport
Steps
- If your child was born abroad, a Kenyan parent can register the birth with Civil Registration Services, at a Kenyan mission abroad or in Kenya.
- Apply for a Kenyan passport for the child. A passport is evidence of citizenship unless proved otherwise.
Watch out
- For a child born outside Kenya, the Act was amended in 2014: it now only needs the mother or father to be a Kenyan citizen on the date of birth. Older copies that say the parent must be a citizen by birth are out of date.
- A child found in Kenya who appears to be under 8, whose parents and nationality are unknown, is presumed to be a citizen by birth.
- A Kenyan by birth who lost citizenship by taking another country's citizenship can apply to regain it.
Who this covers
- Children with at least one Kenyan parent (mother or father) on the day of birth, wherever they are born.
- This also applies to people born before the 2010 Constitution came into force.
Official sources (3)
- 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
- Registration of Birth of a Kenyan Citizen Occurring Abroad usajili.go.ke · read 2 Oct 2026