This archive report was first published on 6 October 2019.
On October 5, 2019, Mwingi West MP Charles Nguna, a Wiper Democratic Movement politician, faced allegations of holding dual citizenship. The claims were made by activist Okiya Omtatah, who asked the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to investigate nine other MPs over dual nationality.
Nguna denied the allegations, stating that his parents being Greek citizens does not necessarily qualify him as one too. He claimed that he had worked with international companies and lived outside Kenya, but never sought dual citizenship.
Nguna also clarified that visiting his parents in Greece frequently does not mean he is a citizen. He urged the EACC to hasten their investigations into the matter.
The issue of dual citizenship came to the forefront during the vetting of Ms Mwende Mwinzi as the envoy to Seoul, South Korea. Mwinzi had moved to the High Court to stop the National Assembly from forcing her to renounce her US citizenship before taking up the role.
She argued that the MPs' action is tantamount to a violation of her rights. Mwinzi's case will be heard next week.
On Thursday, EACC Chief Executive Officer Twalib Mbarak confirmed that investigations were underway. The suspected MPs include Aden Duale (Garissa Township), Yusuf Hassan (Kamukunji), Sophia Abdi Noor (Ijara), Haji Ali (Mandera South), Mohamed Dahir Duale (Dadaab), Mohammed Garane (Lagdera), Jane Kihara (Naivasha), Ledama ole Kina (Narok), and Susan Kihika (Nakuru).
