The Garissa High Court in Kenya upheld key arguments in a petition filed by Haki Na Sheria Initiative (HSI) and ordered critical reforms to the Citizenship and Immigration Act. The court affirmed that children born to unions between refugees and Kenyan citizens are to be recognized as citizens by birth. The court has also ruled that refugee documentation is sufficient to meet the lawful residency requirement for citizenship applications – marking a significant shift in how refugee families can access their constitutional rights. Finally, the Attorney General has been directed to amend the Citizenship and Immigration Act within one year to align it with the Constitution.
Haki Na Sheria Initiative is a non-governmental organization based in Nairobi and Garissa, Kenya and grantee partner of the Global Statelessness Fund. Learn more about their work with stateless and refugee communities on their website.
Photo credit: Haki Na Sheria