Citizens Or Refugees? The Case Of The Shona In Kenya (1962-2017)

Abstract

This study investigates how the Shona identify in Kenya. It interrogates their identity within the tenets of Liberal Theory of citizenship, building on citizenship as a legal status. The study adopts Ager and Strang’s indicators of refugee integration- employment, housing, healthcare and education- with citizenship as the foundation of refugee integration. The study argues that the system of laws in Kenya on citizenship and legal identity though pegged on the liberal tradition of citizenship does not fully address the plight of minority communities facing challenges in acquiring a legal identity. Such communities must first be formally recognized in order to acquire a legal status. The findings of the study demonstrate that the Shona in Kenya identify as citizens but lack an effective nationality in the country they call home. The Shona claim of being citizens in Kenya citing the constitutional provision on citizenship by birth proves problematic since they bear the burden of proof of being born in Kenya but without necessary documentation. The study found out that the Shona in Kenya do not hold a refugee status. Hence, they are neither citizens nor refugees nor do they have a legal status of any country. They are therefore stateless in Kenya. The study further argues that their lack of documentation has limited their integration in Kenya since they cannot access formal employment, health services, education and housing fully compared to the local communities. All in all, the lack of recognition has prolonged their quest for a legal identity in Kenya. The study adopted qualitative method of research and used extant literature, oral interviews and archival data. Purposive sampling method was used to identify respondents based on age-range, geographical location and religious affiliation to the teachings of the Vapostori of the Gospel of God Church as propounded by the founder Johane Masowe.