Immigration
The 2011 Citizenship and Immigration Act, with EAC free movement
The Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act 2011 governs entry, permits and citizenship, implementing the 2010 constitution's provisions on dual citizenship. East African Community nationals enjoy free movement rights under the Common Market Protocol.
Key rules
- Jurisdiction — The Directorate of Immigration Services issues permits; the High Court reviews decisions and the Refugee Appeals Board hears status appeals.
- Deadline — Work permit: classes A to M by activity, generally issued for two years and renewable
- Deadline — Dual citizenship: permitted since the 2010 constitution, with restoration available to those who lost it
- Deadline — Refugee registration: within 30 days of entry under the 2021 Act
Governing law
- Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act, 2011No. 12 of 2011
- Refugees Act, 2021No. 10 of 2021
- EAC Common Market Protocol — free movement of persons and workers
In practice
The Refugees Act 2021 is the more significant recent development: it replaced the 2006 Act, gave refugees the right to work and move more freely, and provided for the integration of long-term Somali and South Sudanese populations — a substantial shift from the encampment policy that preceded it.