K E N YA | The Makonde | K E N Y A The Makonde Although in the past the Makonde in Kenya have, at various times, been invited to vote by both the Mozambican and Kenyan governments in their respective general elections, they have never been accorded the status of citizens by either of them. The acquisition of Kenyan nationality by the Makonde in October 2016 marked the end of a protracted struggle. In 2015, after decades of lobbying, the Makonde community successfully petitioned President Uhuru Kenyatta to review their case. In response, he called for the formation of an inter-departmental taskforce to look into statelessness in the country. The multi-agency Taskforce, which includes the Directorate of Immigration and Registration of Persons, the National Registration Bureau, Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, the Refugee Affairs Secretariat, Civil Registration Services and the National Intelligence Services, with assistance from UNHCR, began gathering case data and information about the Makonde and other stateless groups in Kenya such as the Pemba. In November 2015, the Taskforce completed a report with recommendations to register and naturalize stateless groups in the country. Frustrated by delays in implementing the recommendations, in October 2016, hundreds of Makonde, young and old, supported by local civil society groups such as the Kenya Human Rights Commission, took part in a now legendary march from Kwale to Nairobi to personally request President Kenyatta to recognize them as Kenyan rd citizens. On 13 October 2016, moved by the plight and efforts of the Makonde, and determined to resolve their situation, President Kenyatta apologized, saying “it has taken too long to give you justice as fellow Kenyans. Today is the last day you will be called visitors.” He issued a directive to give effect to provisions in the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act (2011) that give stateless persons resident in the country since Kenya’s independence in 1963 (and their descendants), the right to be registered as Kenyan nationals. The President also officially recognized the Makonde as the 43rd tribe of Kenya, cementing the claim of future generations of Makonde to be recognized as citizens. Almost six months on, more than 1,500 Makonde have been granted Kenyan citizenship. One thousand two hundred Makonde have been issued with national I.D.s and 2,000 have been given birth certificates. In the process, the Government waived onerous requirements, such as showing evidence of having continuously lived in Kenya since 1963, as well as the application fee of 2,000 Kenya Shillings (20 US Dollars). Maria Vaz, 55, Kwale County, Kenya. 42 • UNHCR STATELESSNESS REPORT 2017 the National Youth Service to undertake major projects under the country’s national development plan. John Hamisi’s spirits are soaring. He is happy now that “we have our people involved in Government services. Some of us have joined the police service. Some of us are even working in security with the General Service Unit. It feels good to stand up and speak in my mother tongue like any other Kenyan without being marginalized.” Others are enrolled in the ‘Inua Jamii’ or ‘Uplift the Community’ programme that remits monthly cash payments by mobile phone, now easily bought, to support the livelihoods of those who are poor, elderly or disabled. Older Makonde in Mombasa have been subscribed into the National Hospital Insurance Fund, helping those suffering from diabetes and high blood pressure. The President officially recognized the Makonde as the 43 tribe of Kenya. In the short time since the President’s directive, the positive impacts of being recognized as citizens are being felt by the community. Makonde youth have been recruited as police and military officers and 200 places have been reserved for them in Tina Eric’s brother is now 18 and has a Kenyan National I.D., which has allowed to him to win a scholarship to study at a medical training college. She is also looking for a good job that will help to “build the nation”. Amina Kassim is looking forward to receiving a passport to fulfil a lifelong dream to travel to India. Thomas Nguli has already bought land and is processing his title deed. Maria Vaz is looking forward to the general elections: “It means a lot to be voting as a Kenyan citizen for the first time in 55 years” she says. For the 22 members of the Makonde Dancers troupe, it is an opportunity to register their group as a business, to share their culture through their performances and earn a decent living. “We feel good” says 33-year-old Twi Hamisi, one of the dancers, “now, we are free”. 2017 UNHCR STATELESSNESS REPORT • 43