Declare dual citizenship or regain Kenyan status
From: Government of Kenya (public information)
Published 3 June 2026 · Last updated 3 June 2026
Find out how to formally declare your dual citizenship status or apply to regain your Kenyan citizenship if you previously renounced it under old legal frameworks. This page covers mandatory declaration timelines, processing fees, and required document uploads on eCitizen.
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Quick facts
- Processing time
- 14 to 30 working days for dual declarations; 3 to 6 weeks for complex regaining applications requiring security clearance.
- Base cost
- From Ksh 5,050 to Ksh 20,050 depending on application paths
- How to apply
- Online (Digital submission)
Fees and times can change. Confirm on the official site before you pay.
Before you start
- You must be a Kenyan citizen by birth to qualify for automatic dual citizenship retention or the regaining protocol.
- Your foreign citizenship status must be legally active, documented, and officially issued by the host nation.
Documents you need
- Scanned clear color copy of your valid Kenyan Passport (bio-data page and historical records) or your original National Identity Card.
- Scanned clear color copy of your official Kenyan Birth Certificate.
- Scanned clear color copy of your foreign Naturalization/Citizenship Certificate.
- Scanned clear color copy of your valid foreign Passport bio-data page.
- For Regaining Status: Two recent passport-sized color photographs and a sworn legal affidavit detailing when and why your previous citizenship was renounced or lost.
Fees and charges
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Statutory Dual Citizenship Declaration Processing Fee | Ksh 5,000 |
| Application to Regain Kenyan Citizenship (Processing Surcharge) | Ksh 20,000 |
| eCitizen Portal Convenience Charge (Per Transaction submission) | Ksh 50 |
Questions
Can a dual citizen hold a public state office or enlist in the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF)?
No. Under Article 78 of the Constitution of Kenya, a person holding dual citizenship is legally barred from being appointed to a state office or serving as a member of the defense forces. This restriction does not apply to judges, members of independent commissions, or regular public officers.
Do children born abroad to Kenyan parents need to file a dual citizenship declaration?
Children born outside Kenya to at least one Kenyan parent are automatically citizens by descent under Kenyan law. If they hold the citizenship of their birth country, they enjoy dual citizenship rights and do not need to file a formal declaration until they turn 18 years old.