In terms of identification of respondents, Non-Governmental Organizations (‘NGO’) representatives working with persons at risk of statelessness first approached communities. They explained the objectives of this study to the heads of communities that they worked with and volunteers were requested to come forward. Those who agreed to be interviewed also introduced other respondents to the researchers. Some Government officials were also introduced by these NGO officials, while others were approached directly. One hundred and thirty six respondents were interviewed (N = 136), comprising 93 male (68%) and 43 female (32%).50 The interviews were confidential and conducted at a time and place suitable to the respondents. All interviewees were adults. The interviews were conducted in English, Swahili or in local languages using the services of interpreters. Respondents were drawn from persons without national identity documents (‘IDs’), who were presumed to be stateless or at risk of statelessness (n = 67), holders of national IDs, who were presumed to be nationals (n = 31) as well as officials of the Kenyan government (n = 23) and representatives from NGOs dealing with persons at risk of statelessness (n = 15). Discussions51 with persons at risk of statelessness and those who had obtained Kenyan IDs covered topics such as their experience of the process of obtaining these documents, their expectations, whether they understood the processes they were taken through in acquiring ID’s , whether they thought they were treated fairly, the challenges they faced and if these challenges were dealt with to their satisfaction. Interviews with persons at risk of statelessness also covered the challenges they face owing to their status, their coping mechanisms, their relationship with the local community and officials, and long term solutions to their plight. Interviews with NGO representatives and Government of Kenya officials canvassed a similar set of issues, but concentrated on obtaining views about the extent of statelessness in the country, the merits of the current procedures for obtaining Kenyan IDs, the challenges faced by stateless persons and persons at risk of statelessness in Kenya and the legal or policy changes needed to improve the current system. In addition to field work, a review meeting with stakeholders was held in Nairobi to enrich the report. 15 Attendees provided feedback on the draft report of this study. Further meetings were held with the core research team comprising the consultant and KNCHR and UNHCR personnel. The findings of this study, as they are based on the sample size, do not represent a comprehensive reflection of the statelessness situation in Kenya. However, they do provide valuable insight into challenges that persons at risk of statelessness in Kenya face. As such, the study seeks to contribute to existing literature on nationality law and practice through findings drawn from empirical work. It provides a human rights context to the issue of statelessness. This study does not cover every aspect of statelessness in 50 Details of the interviewees are available in annex one and two. See annex four for the open-ended questions that were used in this study. 51 OUT OF THE SHADOWS TOWARDS ENSURING THE RIGHTS OF STATELESS PERSONS AND PERSONS AT RISK OF STATELESSNESS IN KENYA 9