People born and raised abroad to a Kenyan mother or father often ask us the same thing: "Am I already Kenyan?"

Often, the answer is yes. Under Article 14(1) of the Constitution, you are a citizen by birth if either parent was a Kenyan citizen on the day you were born, wherever you were born. Article 16 says you do not lose that citizenship by holding another.

Dual citizens have one key duty. Section 8 of the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act, 2011 requires you to disclose your other citizenship within three months. Failing to disclose is an offence.

If you are Kenyan by birth and lost your citizenship because you took up another nationality, Article 14(5) lets you regain it on application.

The law is the easy part. Getting a passport depends on documents:

1. Confirm your parent's status. You can use an old Kenyan passport, ID card, citizenship certificate or official correspondence.

2. Prove your link to that parent. You need a full birth certificate naming the Kenyan parent, plus marriage certificates or deed polls if any names changed.

3. Trace missing records. Searches at Kenyan registries and archives take time, so start early.

4. Choose the right application for your situation.

If you are considering this route, speak to us before you apply.

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