Kenya: Govt Kicks Off Citizenship Registration For Pemba Community

Published: 1/Mar/2023
Source: Capital FM (Nairobi)

NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 1 — The government has commenced the registration of over 5,000 members of the Pemba Community ahead of conferment of Kenyan citizenship following President William Ruto’s directive.

Speaking in Kilifi County on Wednesday, Immigration and Citizen Services Principal Secretary Julius Bitok said Kenya will review statelessness of other unrecognized communities living in Kenya.

“Today’s event therefore marks the official commencement of an important occasion and the implementation of the President’s directive. The grant of citizenship means the Pemba now are officially recognized as a Kenyan community with all the rights and benefits conferred by our nationality,” Bitok said.

The registration follows President Ruto’s formal recognition of the Pemba as an ethnic community in Kenya on January 31, 2023.

In a Special Gazette Notice, the President said that the Kenyans of the Pemba Heritage will now be issued with relevant identification in accordance with the Constitution.

Read further: https://www.capitalfm.co.ke/news/2023/03/govt-kicks-off-citizenship-registration-for-pemba-community/

Themes: Naturalisation and Marriage, Statelessness
Regions: Kenya
Year: 2023