Stateless Pemba Community Recognized as Kenyan Citizens

President Ruto has formally recognized the Pemba as an ethnic community in Kenya.

This paves the way for people of Pemba heritage to be issued with relevant identification and citizenship documents in line with the Constitution.

In a Special Gazette Notice dated January 30th, Ruto said he took the step following the recommendations of the National Assembly, which considered a petition to have members of the Pemba community recognized as Kenyan citizens.

The president observed that the Pemba community is part of the 16 Swahili dialects of the traditional Swahili living in parts of Kwale, Mombasa, and Kilifi counties.

“I William Samoei Ruto, having considered the said petition and consequent parliamentary report in light of the Constitution of Kenya, our national values, and the principles of governance; by authority vested in me by the Constitution, do recognize, proclaim and order that Kenyans of Pemba heritage constitute a community that is one of ethnic communities of Kenya,” reads the notice.

In addition, the president ordered that all persons, bodies and authorities within the Republic of Kenya shall recognize the Pemba community as an ethnic community of Kenya.

The community has remained stateless for decades, with no document to prove their Kenyan citizenship. This led to them being denied critical government and social services.