Egg on the Face? Ministry Apologises Over Sh1 Million 'Error' in New Citizenship Fees Notice

Principal Secretary of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Roseline Njogu has admitted that their statement to charge Sh1,000,000 for children of Kenyan citizens born abroad was flawed.

Njogu took to social media to provide clarification, emphasizing that this fee is solely applicable to the children of non-Kenyan individuals who are seeking permanent residency in Kenya. The Ministry of Interior had previously announced in a Gazette Notice that children born to Kenyan citizens abroad who wish to obtain Kenyan citizenship would be subject to this fee. However, Njogu clarifies that this was a mistake, as children born to Kenyan parents automatically gain citizenship by birth.

Njogu says that she had spoken to Immigration PS Julius Bitok who verified that the charges were erroneously inputted and are solely applicable to children of foreign nationals seeking permanent residency. As stated in the Constitution, children who have at least one Kenyan citizen as their parent are automatically citizens and do not have to go through the process of applying for permanent residency.

“I have engaged with Immigration PS Julius Bitok and he has assured me that the permanent residence fees for children of Kenyan citizens were entered in error. This fee applies to children of foreigners seeking permanent residency in the country. As I had explained, children of a Kenyan citizen acquire citizenship by birth,” said Njogu.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Interior has disclosed the latest fee revisions concerning identification and immigration documents with Sh2,000 required to replace a misplaced national ID card while Sh1,000 stipulated as the cost for registering to receive a new ID card.