By Xinhua,
Nairobi : Kenya will allow dual citizenship if a new policy drafted by the immigration ministry is adopted by the government.
The government is currently discussing the proposal submitted by the ministry, before it is forwarded to the parliament and cabinet for approval.
Immigration Minister Otieno Kajwang is seeking a new policy that could address the problems related to citizenship issues.
The minister said if the proposal is approved, children born to Kenyan mothers and non-Kenyan fathers outside the country would benefit.
Kajwang presented the policy at a stakeholders meeting in Nairobi Tuesday.
“There is no right moment other than now, when we should address the issue of dual citizenship that continues to bother our diaspora population,” Kajwang said.
“Perpetrators of white collar crimes such as global terrorism, smuggling and human and drug trafficking, have powerful cartels that are difficult to dismantle. Unless we put in place a policy framework, our efforts of safe immigration shall remain just good intentions,” he said.
People married to Kenyans will have opportunity to become Kenyan citizens after fulfilling certain conditions under the new policy.
An advisory committee on citizenship is also envisaged. The Kenyan immigration department has operated without a government policy since 1950.