This archive report was first published on 5 October 2019.
On October 5, 2019, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) announced plans to expand its investigation into dual citizenship, targeting all State officials, not just Members of Parliament (MPs).
According to EACC CEO Twalib Mbarak, the probe will cover Cabinet Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, Governors, Deputy Governors, Members of County Assemblies (MCAs), county executives, heads of parastatals, and military officers.
"The exercise is meant to ensure compliance with the law," Mbarak said. "Based on intelligence reports and information given to us by the public, the scope of the investigations are not limited to specific institutions but all State officers."
Although the Constitution allows for dual citizenship, Mbarak emphasized that dual citizens are prohibited from taking up State and public offices unless they relinquish the second citizenship.
Activist Okiya Omtatah had lodged a complaint with EACC seeking to have 8 MPs, two Senators, and one former MP investigated for being holders of dual citizenship.
Among those accused include National Majority Leader Aden Duale (Somalia) and Nakuru Senator Susan Kihika (United States), who have both denied the allegations.
