What does it mean to be stateless?
According to the 1954 Convention Relating to the Status of Stateless Persons a “stateless person” is a person who is not considered as a national by any State under the operation of its law.
Can I apply for international protection in Kenya if I am stateless?
The Government of Kenya provides protection to stateless persons and all others on its territory.
How to submit an application to be recognized as a stateless person?
Kenya does not have a Statelessness determination procedure. However, under Kenyan law, a stateless person is defined as one who does not have an enforceable claim to the citizenship of any recognized state and has been living in Kenya for a continuous period since Kenya’s independence on 12 December, 1963.
How to submit an application to be recognized as a citizen of Kenya?
In Kenya, stateless persons can apply for citizenship by registration as provided for in the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act, 2011.
Stateless persons who were in the country at independence and their descendants may apply for registration as citizens of Kenya if they fulfill a set criteria. A link to the application form will be posted here once available.
Currently, application for registration by stateless persons in Kenya is not available due to the lack of a defined registration process following the lapse of the legal framework on 31 August 2021. UNHCR and NGO partners share regularly, information on government-led registration exercises with the stateless communities and individuals.