From Stateless to Citizens: the journey of the Shona community in Kenya
Published: 11/Oct/2024
Source: UNHCR
This policy brief examines the socioeconomic progress of the Shona community in Kenya since gaining citizenship in 2020-21. Previously stateless, the Shona faced barriers to formal employment, financial services, and social protection. Citizenship has enabled 86% of the community to obtain national IDs and significantly increased financial inclusion, with bank account ownership rising from 9% to 35%. Health insurance coverage has nearly tripled, and overall economic participation has improved. Despite these gains, the Shona community’s employment rates remain below pre-pandemic levels, particularly for women. The report provides policy recommendations to further support the Shona and other stateless communities globally, highlighting the transformative power of legal recognition.
Cite as: Rahman, Masud; Okute, Samwel Ochieng; Fix, Jedediah Rooney (October 2024). From Stateless to Citizens: the journey of the Shona community in Kenya (English). Nairobi: UNHCR.
Download: https://data.unhcr.org/en/documents/details/111718