This archive report was first published on 7 November 2019.
On November 6, 2019, Kenya's investment promotion agency, KenInvest, announced plans to offer citizenship to wealthy investors in a bid to boost direct foreign investment (FDI) flows.
Under the new proposals, high net worth investors whose enterprises are appraised to have a high impact on new jobs and exports earnings will be allowed to automatically apply for citizenship.
Currently, immigration laws require a foreigner to live in the country for at least seven years to qualify for citizenship by registration.
KenInvest managing director Moses Ikiara said the agency held positive discussions with Interior Secretary Fred Matiang'i to develop a framework for vetting investors and preventing abuse.
"If somebody has created impact and you can see the jobs created why don't we extend an incentive to them and say we invite to be our citizen in three, two years," Dr Ikiara said.
The proposal is part of Kenya's first ever investment policy, unveiled on November 6, 2019, which aims to guide the attraction, facilitation, retention, monitoring, and evaluation of private investments at national and county levels.
