The 2024 Socioeconomic Report of the Shona community in Kenya is launched on 9 December 2024 in Nairobi. UNHCR/Didier Habimana
NAIROBI – Today, the United Nations Refugee Agency, UNHCR, launched a pioneering socioeconomic report that examines the impact of granting citizenship to stateless individuals in Kenya. This report, the first of its kind, offers critical insights into how legal recognition transforms lives and provides a model for policy reforms globally.
The report focuses on the Shona community in Kenya, who were granted citizenship in 2021 after years of statelessness. Drawing on extensive research and analysis, the report reveals significant improvements in key areas such as financial inclusion, social cohesion, and access to essential services following the acquisition of citizenship.
“Statelessness remains one of the most significant global challenges of our time, affecting millions of individuals worldwide. Kenya has taken significant strides in eradicating statelessness and this report is evidence of the life-changing impact citizenship is having on the Shona community,” Caroline Van Buren, UNHCR Representative, said in her opening remarks.
The report builds on a previous 2019 socioeconomic survey conducted by UNHCR, the World Bank, and the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), providing a detailed comparison of life before and after citizenship. It serves as a vital piece of evidence in advocating for citizenship as a transformative solution to statelessness.
The findings in the report are overwhelmingly positive. More than 80 per cent of the Shona community members say that they feel “more connected to the country now than before receiving citizenship”. Out of ten Shona households, four reported their household income has increased, and five reported their household income has stabilized since gaining citizenship. Healthcare access improved for 52 per cent of households, and financial inclusion surged, with mobile money wallet ownership rising to 97 per cent and bank account access quadrupling to over 30 per cent. Importantly, 86 per cent of Shona individuals now have access to identification documents.
The report underscores the urgent need for global efforts to address statelessness through inclusive reforms in nationality laws, improved civil registration systems, and the removal of barriers to citizenship. It also highlights the importance of generating data and evidence to guide policymaking.
Access the report here.
Background
Statelessness remains a pressing global issue, with an estimated 4.4 million people worldwide lacking citizenship, though the actual figure is likely much higher due to gaps in data collection. Stateless individuals often face profound barriers to accessing basic rights and opportunities, leaving them marginalized and excluded from society.
Kenya has emerged as a leader in addressing statelessness, with historic milestones, including the recognition of the Makonde people in 2016, the Shona community in 2021, and the Pemba people in 2023. These efforts highlight Kenya’s commitment to tackling statelessness through progressive policy measures.
Find out more on the UNHCR website here.
ENDS
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