Abstract: Lack of nationality is a global problem with approximately 12 million population being stateless. Stateless persons often find themselves in vulnerable situations in their host country which is occasioned by their lack of nationality. The lack of nationality commonly results in discrimination against stateless persons. Such discrimination is frequently made worse by the fact that minorities rarely have the same influence as the majority. Attempts have been made to address statelessness in Kenya. This study sought to explore the nationality, identity, and citizenship of the Makonde people in Kenya. The Makonde people came to Kenya from Mozambique in 1936 as labourers in European plantations in coastal Kenya. Legislative and policy shortcomings made it difficult to recognize the Makonde as Kenyan citizens both before and after independence. This made the Makonde live as stateless persons for over 50 years. After Kenya gained independence, each successive government kept on promising them nationality, however, they were never granted. The journey for Makonde identity began in 2014 through efforts of human rights and Makonde people trekking from coast to statehouse Nairobi. Following the petition by the county of Kwale to the president in 2015, the Makonde were granted citizenship in 2016 after a struggle for several decades. Although granting of citizenship should result in stateless persons enjoying their full rights, this necessarily does not happen in most cases. Despite the Makonde acquiring citizenship, they still face some challenges in enjoying full citizenship rights such as ownership of property and political representation in the government.
Keywords: Nationality, Citizenship, Statelessness, Stateless, Identity.
Title: THE STRUGGLE FOR CITIZENSHIP BY THE MAKONDE PEOPLE OF KENYA
Author: Omwoa Khakori Peris
International Journal of Social Science and Humanities Research
ISSN 2348-3156 (Print), ISSN 2348-3164 (online)
Vol. 14, Issue 1, January 2026 - March 2026
Page No: 1-8
Research Publish Journals
Website: www.researchpublish.com
Published Date: 05-January-2026
