On August 12, 2026, Gasabo District hosted a naturalisation ceremony where 27 foreign nationals, including Kenyan citizens, officially became Rwandan citizens. The event was organised by Gasabo District authorities in collaboration with Rwanda's Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration.
The new citizens hail from nine countries: Belgium, Burundi, Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Eritrea, France, Kenya, Uganda, and the United States. This ceremony marks the latest milestone in Rwanda’s ongoing effort to attract global talent and foster economic growth through citizenship grants.
Dual Citizenship Allowed for Kenyan Nationals
Kenyan nationals among the newly naturalised are permitted to retain their Kenyan citizenship, as Rwanda’s constitution under Article 7 explicitly allows dual citizenship. The Organic Law Governing Rwandan Nationality further supports this, enabling individuals to hold Rwandan citizenship alongside other nationalities. However, new dual citizens must declare their status within three months of acquiring another nationality.
Rights and Responsibilities of New Citizens
Those granted citizenship through naturalisation enjoy the same rights and responsibilities as Rwandans by birth. These include legal equality, protection from discrimination, and access to education and liberty. During the ceremony, new citizens were encouraged to actively contribute to Rwanda’s social and economic development and to uphold the nation’s constitution and laws.
Rwanda’s Expanding Naturalisation Programme
Since its inception, Rwanda’s naturalisation programme has granted citizenship to 1,500 foreign nationals. The 2021 Organic Law outlines eligibility criteria such as investment, exceptional skills, national interest, and long-term residence. The law also safeguards against statelessness by restricting citizenship revocation unless it was obtained fraudulently.
