This archive report was first published on 3 October 2019.
On September 17, 2018, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) announced that it was investigating public officers holding dual citizenship, a move that has sparked controversy in Kenya.
According to Article 78(2) of the Constitution, a state officer or a member of the defence forces shall not hold dual citizenship. However, the Constitution also provides for the right to acquire dual citizenship, but this is prohibited for the state and public officers.
EACC Chief Executive Officer Twalib Mbarak stated that public officers are prohibited from holding dual citizenship as it is a contravention of the Constitution. He further noted that the commission has launched investigations to ascertain claims that a number of legislators and some public officers owe allegiance to some foreign nations.
Twalib warned that the commission will initiate mechanisms for the removal from office of such officers for violation of Chapter Six of the Constitution. This comes as Mwende Mwinzi, a nominated ambassador to South Korea, faces a storm in parliament for failing to denounce her US citizenship.
