\u201cWe had rights but we did not know how to enjoy these rights because we did not have identity cards.\u201d<\/p>\n
By Modesta Ndubi, Kwale, Coast, Kenya |\u00a015 Mar 2017<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\u201cThe day I got my Kenyan identity card I came home and celebrated. I\u2019m now a proper Kenyan. I can go anywhere and get assistance without any fear.\u201d Those are the words of Amina Kassim a 51 year-old mother of four who was among those who trekked from Kwale to Statehouse Nairobi to meet the President in October 2016 to discuss the plight of the stateless communities living in Kenya.<\/p>\n
Amina is among the 1,176 Makonde who were issued with Kenyan identity cards in February this year when the Makonde were officially declared the 43rd tribe by President Kenyatta. Amina\u2019s parents were born in Kenya, she is a third generation Makonde. Her grandparents came to Kenya from Mozambique to work in sisal plantations in the coast of Kenya.<\/p>\n
Its a similar story for many from the\u00a0Makonde community. Their forefathers hail from Mozambique and arrived in Kenya through Tanzania in the 1930s to work for the British. They had never been recognized as Kenyans. They were stateless.<\/p>\n
A Stateless person is an individual who is not considered to be a national by any State under the operation of its law.<\/p>\n
Now that she has an identity card, Amina, who is a fishmonger, hopes to expand her business. \u201cI will open a bank account and save money. I will also join a women savings group,\u201d she said. \u201cThis will help me expand my business and renovate my house.\u201d<\/p>\n
Without identity cards, the Makonde could not open bank accounts, register telephone sim cards, acquire business permits, move freely or even register for mobile banking. \u201cWe had rights but we did not know how to enjoy these rights because we did not have identity cards,\u201d said Amina. \u201cWe have suffered.\u201d She stressed reflectively.<\/p>\n
The Makonde are known for carving wood, a skill they inherited from their forefathers. The carvers have been exploited by middlemen for many years simply because they did not have identity cards. This will now change. \u201cWe are happy now that we have identity cards. We used to hide in the villages and carve because we could not operate or sell in town without permits. That is why we sold to middlemen who took advantage of our situation,\u201d explained Damiano Garcias who sells his carvings to earn a living. \u201cWe will now obtain a business permit and rent a place in town where customers can come to us directly.\u201d He added.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am so happy to have an identity card. I have made a copy which I walk around with because I treasure my original identity card and I do not want it to get lost or worn out.\u201d said Damiano as he showed off of his ID card copy.<\/p>\n
Without identity cards, Makonde youth were discriminated against when they sought employment or to join youth groups. \u201cFor us who have attained 18 years, we had a difficult time joining youth groups but now that we have identity cards we have managed to join some groups which will empower us,\u201d noted Martin Kosta, a Makonde youth representative. \u201cThe other day the Chief informed Makonde youth about the National Youth Service selection because we are now recognized as Kenyans.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI am so happy to have an identity card. I have made a copy which I walk around with because I treasure my original identity card and I do not want it to get lost or worn out.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Obtaining Kenyan citizenship for stateless persons is a procedure.\u00a0 \u201cRegistration of stateless persons is a 3-step procedure. It involves application to immigration officials to be considered for naturalisation. Once a person is approved for naturalisation, a certificate of nationality is issued. This certificate is the golden paper that one needs to then seek an ID card without questions asked, and if one was born in Kenya, and did not obtain a birth certificate, they also apply for a birth certificate,\u201d explained Wanja Munaita,\u00a0responsible for Stateless persons at UNHCR Kenya.<\/p>\n