NATIONALITY OF A CHILD BORN TO A KENYAN PARENT

Child born in Belgium/Luxembourg

Father Kenyan Kenyan not Kenyan unknown
Mother Kenyan not Kenyan Kenyan Kenyan
Nationality of child Kenyan Kenyan not Kenyan Kenyan
Remarks (see below) by descent (1) by descent (1) child has father’s by descent (2)
nationality
Child born in Kenya
Father Kenyan Kenyan not Kenyan unknown
Mother Kenyan not Kenyan Kenyan Kenyan
Nationality of child Kenyan Kenyan not Kenyan Kenyan
Remarks (see below) by birth by birth child has father’s by birth
nationality (3)

Remarks:

(1) Minors who are Kenyan nationals “by descent” (i.e. born abroad of Kenyan parents),
become nationals “by registration” upon reaching the age of majority (21) and not “by
naturalization”. They are required to renounce the nationality of their country of birth
between their 21st and 23rd birthdays, and take the oath of allegiance. Any such persons
who fail to do so on or before their 23rd birthday, automatically cease to be a citizen of
Kenya on that day.

The law does not provide for dual citizenship for adults (those over 21 years of age), but
allows minors (those under 21 years of age) to retain the citizenship which they may have
acquired by birth, descent or registration, as the case may be. Any minor who acquires
Kenyan citizenship is granted a period of two (2) years from their 21st birthday to decide
on which nationality to retain. However, failure to renounce the other nationality on or
before the 23rd birthday results in loss of Kenyan citizenship.

The citizenship laws do not provide for a citizen of Kenya who has acquired another
nationality to renounce their Kenyan citizenship. Any Kenyan over 21 years of age who
voluntarily acquires another nationality automatically ceases to be a Kenyan citizen from the
date of such acquisition of another nationality.

(2) The mother must travel to Kenya to register the child as a Kenyan. The Embassy will issue
the child with a Certificate of Identity (CIN), which allows him/her to travel to Kenya
(check the passport section of the website for the application procedure). Upon arrival in
Kenya, the child must apply for a dependant's pass at the Immigration Office, and must
subsequently be registered as a Kenyan citizen at the Registrar-General’s Office. After that,
the child may apply for a Kenyan passport.

(3) The child has the right to apply for Kenyan nationality (“by registration”) at the age of 23.