Why a birth certificate is not proof of citizenship in Kenya; Immigration PS
Immigration PS Julius Bitok explains why a birth certificate is not proof of citizenship in Kenya
Immigration PS Julius Bitok explains why a birth certificate is not proof of citizenship in Kenya.
Immigration and Citizens Services Principal Secretary (PS) Julius Bitok has clarified the distinction between birth registration and citizenship in Kenya.
He stated on Thursday that being born in the country and possessing a birth certificate does not automatically make one a Kenyan citizen.
The constitution says that all children born in Kenya are registered by the civil registry. That’s correct. But that does not entitle them to citizenship. A birth certificate is not an entitlement to citizenship. National ID is what entitles one to be a Kenyan citizen.
The PS underlined that while the law mandates the registration of all births in Kenya and the issuance of birth certificates, citizenship is determined by obtaining a national identification card (ID), which is a separate process.
This clarification comes amid discussions surrounding refugees in Kenya, many of whom have resided in the country for decades.
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Bitok noted that most refugees who arrived 30 years ago are now adults but hold refugee IDs rather than Kenyan national IDs.
Most of the refugees now who came 30 years ago are already adults in Kenya. But most of them have refugee ID. They don’t have Kenya’s national ID.
He further pointed out the legal and logistical challenges that may arise as this population ages.
The remarks shed light on the legal framework surrounding citizenship in Kenya and the challenges faced by long-term refugees who have yet to secure national identification.
In Kenya, the acquisition of citizenship is governed by the Constitution of Kenya and the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act (Cap 170).
Citizenship can be acquired in several ways, primarily through birth, registration, or marriage.
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