Kiminini MP Chris Wamalwa has been granted US honorary citizenship raising questions whether he is still eligible to vie for a public office in Kenya.
Wamalwa is currently in US visiting the states of Texas, Nebraska and Illinois on official Parliamentary duties.
The Kiminini MP on Monday September 20th announced that Nebraska’s state secretary Robert Evnen had granted him an honorary citizenship.
“I was awarded with an honourary citizenship of Nebraska by it’s state secretary, Mr. Robert Evnen at Lincoln. As a pure agricultural state, we discussed on areas of mutual collaboration. I then had a fruitful engagement with Kenyans in diaspora on betterment of TransNzoia County and Kenya at large,” wrote Wamalwa.
Several people were quick to ask whether Wamalwa is still eligible to hold a public office since he has been granted US citizenship.
The Kiminini MP has declared interest to vie for Trans Nzoia governor seat in the 2022 forthcoming general election.
Is Wamalwa is still eligible to hold a public office now that he has been granted US honorary citizenship?
Well, honorary citizenship should not be confused with citizenship or permanent residency as it’s merely a ‘charade’. The honor is usually symbolic and does not confer any change to citizenship or nationality.
Honorary citizenship is a status bestowed by a city or other government on a foreign or native individual whom it considers to be especially admirable or otherwise worthy of the distinction. [sic]
The Kenyan Constitution bars individuals with dual citizenship from running to be President or Deputy President.
The High Court in 2013 also ruled that Kenyans with dual citizenships are not eligible to seek election as Members of Parliament.
“By virtue of Article 78(2), a person who holds dual citizenship cannot run for elective office as a member of Parliament,” ruled Justice Majanja.
Article 78 (2) of the Constitution bars State officers from holding dual citizenship. Judge Majanja further ruled that the provision in the Constitution cannot be challenged before any court. The two chamber Parliament includes the National Assembly and the Senate.
Wamalwa with his US honorary citizenship can still vie for Trans Nzoia governor seat in 2022. Several aspirants including Rift Valley Regional Commissioner George Natembeya are seeking to succeed Governor Patrick Khaemba.
Moses Wetangula’s Ford-Kenya is the dominant party in the region and both Khaemba and Wamalwa were elected on the party’s ticket.
Trans Nzoia is a cosmopolitan county, with the Luhya community being dominant followed by the Sabaot, Kikuyu, Kisii and Marakwet. Alliances among the communities will play a critical role in determining who takes over from Khaemba.
Related: Why Natembeya Wants to Vie For Trans Nzoia’s Top Seat In The Coming Elections
