Rwandans want citizenship after living in Kenya over 70 years

Descendants of at least 500 Rwandans that were taken to Kenya by the British colonial administration in the 1940’s seek Kenyan citizenship after living in the country for over 70 years, according to a report by the New Times.

The Rwandans’ forefathers were granted Kenyan citizenship in 1945 but was revoked in 1975 and given alien identification cards. Since then all efforts to get a citizen status has been unsuccessful.
“The High Commissioner was informed that in 1980s, Kenyan government of the day, decided to send them back to Rwanda but the Government of Rwanda at the time refused to accept them saying that they were Kenyans,” reads a statement by the Rwandan High Commission in Nairobi where the Rwandans and their descendants rounded up on Sunday

The group is frustrated as the statelessness has denied them the fundamental rights enjoyed by the rest of Kenyans; with some turning to forged identities to be able to get employment or send their children to school.

“At 77, I have never opened a bank account; I have never voted, never bought property and I’m tired of this situation and worried about my children,” said Gabriel Ndagijimana, born in Kericho in 1940 before Kenya gained its independence, but claims to be neither a Kenyan citizen nor Rwandan.
Rwandan ambassador to Kenya, Kimonyo told the disgruntled group that based on the existing friendly and strong friendship between Rwanda and Kenya and in the spirit of the East African Community integration, he believes Kenyan Government will find a lasting solution to the matter.