Kenya Proposes DNA-Based Citizenship Path for Global Diaspora with Ancestral Ties

A new legislative proposal in Kenya is set to transform the citizenship landscape for Africans in the diaspora with ancestral ties to the nation.

The Kenya Citizenship and Immigration (Amendment) Bill, 2024, championed by Suba South MP Caroli Omondi, aims to introduce a fourth pathway to citizenship through ancestry, alongside existing options of birth, registration, or naturalization. The proposed legislation will allow individuals born outside Kenya, who can establish descent from Kenyan ancestors, to apply for citizenship, contingent upon meeting specific criteria.

Applicants must provide proof of a clean criminal record, with no imprisonment exceeding six months. Furthermore, the Kenyan government will mandate a genetic genealogy test, combining DNA analysis with historical and genealogical documentation to substantiate the applicant's ancestral claims.

In addition to these requirements, the bill outlines that applicants must demonstrate adequate financial resources and evidence of their potential contributions to Kenya’s development and economy. These stipulations are designed to ensure that the citizenship process remains secure and does not permit individuals with significant criminal backgrounds to gain access to Kenyan nationality.

MP Caroli Omondi has stressed the economic implications of the bill, noting that successful applicants could facilitate capital investments into the country, thereby bolstering the national economy. The introduction of application fees is also expected to generate additional revenue for the government.

This initiative aligns with international legal principles supporting the right of return, acknowledging the deep-seated ancestral connections many individuals in the diaspora maintain with Kenya. MP Omondi reiterates the need for this legislative change, describing the current constitutional requirements—which demand that those with Kenyan ancestry but non-Kenyan parents go through the same application process as individuals without ancestral ties—as unfair.

The bill is currently under examination by the Budget and Appropriations Committee and awaiting evaluation of its financial implications. Should it receive approval, Kenya would follow Ghana as one of the few African nations to offer such an ancestry-based citizenship pathway, potentially enhancing its relationship with the diaspora while promoting economic development.