Nairobi News

Diaspora Affairs Principal Secretary Roseline Njogu has publicly apologized following the release of a Gazette Notice which she says incorrectly stated the fees for processing permanent residency for children of Kenyan citizens born abroad had risen to Sh1 million.

The notice caused a significant public uproar, as it stated the fees for granting permanent residency to these children had not only increased but would also attract a processing charge of Sh200,000.

“I have engaged Immigration PS Julius Bitok. He assured me the Permanent Residence fees for children of Kenyan citizens were entered in error,” said the PS.

Njogu clarified the fees were meant for children of foreigners seeking permanent residency, not for Kenyan citizens.

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“This fee applies to children of foreigners seeking PR. As I had explained, children of a citizen acquire citizenship by birth.”

She also highlighted the potential unconstitutionality of such a requirement, as the Kenyan Constitution’s Article 14 (1) states that a person is a citizen by birth if either the mother or father ienyan citizen, regardless of the place of birth.

Njogu assured that corrective measures were already in progress and apologized for the confusion caused by the mistake.

A person is a citizen by birth if on the day of the person’s birth, whether or not the person is born in Kenya, either the mother or father of the person is a citizen.”

The Foreign Affairs CS added that measures to rectify the misleading error have already been taken.

“Apologies for the mistake that has caused so much anxiety,” she said.

Further to my last tweet, I have engaged with @JuliusKBitok PS Immigration & Citizen Services. He has assured me that the Permanent Residence fees for children of Kenyan citizens were entered in error. This fee applies to children of foreigners seeking PR. As I had explained,… pic.twitter.com/phfUsUvBu3

— Roseline K. Njogu 🇰🇪 (@roselinenjogu) November 8, 2023