Joy for Stateless Pemba Tribe as Gov’t Pledges to Grant Them Kenyan Citizenship

Members of the stateless Pemba community have welcomed President Ruto’s pledge that the government will grant them citizenship and identification documents.

Speaking during the 59th Jamhuri Day celebrations on Monday, Ruto announced the government will kick off the process to confer citizenship to the Pemba ethnic group, which is domiciled in Kilifi and Kwale counties.

“We must continue to resolve injustices of a historical character that have unfairly relegated people to the margins of statelessness when their inalienable rights of citizenship are guaranteed under the Constitution,” Ruto said.

“Our determination to live as one indivisible national family cannot be compromised. Our pursuit of inclusion is irrevocable. The government of Kenya has commenced the process to confer citizenship to the Pemba people living in Kilifi County,” he added.

Over 7,000 members of the Pemba community who have lived in Kenya for decades with no document to prove their citizenship welcomed the move, saying the recognition will allow them to get access to critical government and social services.

Kenya Pemba community chairperson Shaane Hamisi Makame said Pembas have been harassed and arrested repeatedly by police officers and the Kenya Coast Guard while fishing because they do not have identity cards.
 
“We have always been arrested because officials think we are Tanzanians fishing in Kenyan waters illegally. I am happy that the state has finally been recognized. We will now be able to enter any state office and get services because we were not recognized. We are planning a massive party dubbed Pemba Day," said Makame.

Pemba community secretary Juma Yussuf Juma, who was born and raised in Mayungu, Kilifi, said that most community members were taking their children to be adopted by Kenyans to enable them to enjoy government services such as birth certificates for children.

Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC), which has been petitioning Parliament to recognize the community that originated from Tanzania, hailed the government for its commitment to affirming citizenship rights for all.

"After years of advocacy by partner organizations, this is a significant opportunity to guarantee the enjoyment of citizenship rights by all stateless communities in Kenya. This follows the award of citizenship for the Shona & Rwandese communities in Kenya in 2020," KHCR said in a statement.