Kenya’s internal security minister Fred Matiang’I on Tuesday said that deported opposition politician Miguna Miguna would have to make an application in order to regain his Kenyan citizenship.
Matiang’i made the comments while appearing before a parliamentary committee that sought clarification on the happenings that led to the deportation of Miguna Miguna for a second time.
“Anyone who took up citizenship of another country before the 2010 constitution and thinks they can get it back without following the process is lying to himself,” he said.
Miguna was initially deported to Canada on 6 February following his participation in the mock swearing in of main opposition leader Raila Odinga.
Following a successful court case, he returned back to the East African country on 26 February, but was not allowed past the airport, and was subsequently deported to Dubai on 28.
Matiang’i in his remarks said that Miguna lost his Kenyan citizenship once he took up Canada’s citizenship.
“There is no doubt Miguna was born in Kenya. But in line with the 2010 constitution, anyone who took up citizenship of another country lost his or her Kenyan citizenship. Parliament enacted a law on how one regains that citizenship,” he said.
The minister also defended himself against claims he declined to comply with court orders directing the release of Miguna who had been detained at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport upon arrival from Canada.
