At independence in 1963, Kenyan Asians faced a momentous choice regarding citizenship and nationality. Those who held British passports (awarded during the colonial period) had the option to maintain British nationality and the theoretical right to live in Britain. Those who chose to take Kenyan citizenship renounced their British nationality and committed themselves to remaining in Kenya. This choice, often referred to as "the passport question," determined whether Asians would have an escape route from Kenya if circumstances became untenable, and had profound consequences for individual families and the broader Asian community.
Colonial Citizenship Status
During the colonial period, British subjects of the empire theoretically had equal status, though in practice racial hierarchies determined treatment. Asians (like all British subjects) held British passports that could be used for travel and international commerce. These passports were valuable assets that enabled international mobility and provided a sense of security.
The Post-Independence Choice
When Kenya became independent in December 1963, the new government required that those living in Kenya choose between Kenyan citizenship and foreign nationality. For Asians holding British passports, this was a crucial decision. Choosing Kenyan citizenship meant renouncing British nationality and making a definitive commitment to Kenya. Maintaining British citizenship meant retaining the option to emigrate to Britain but also signaling a lack of commitment to Kenya.
The Arguments for Kenyan Citizenship
Many Asian leaders and intellectuals argued that Asians should take Kenyan citizenship as a gesture of commitment to the new nation. Proponents argued that by taking citizenship, Asians would demonstrate that they accepted their role in Kenya and had no intention of leaving. Proponents further argued that citizenship would provide legal protections and full political rights. Taking citizenship was also presented as patriotic and as evidence of Asians' belonging in Kenya.
The Arguments for Maintaining British Citizenship
Others argued that maintaining British citizenship was wise insurance against an uncertain future. Those who advocated maintaining British passports pointed to the history of European colonies where minority groups had faced discrimination and violence following independence. Maintaining the option to leave Kenya was presented as prudent self-protection. Those who took this view were often labeled as uncommitted to Kenya, but they viewed themselves as realistic about the risks.
Ethnic and Class Dimensions
The decision often fell along class and ethnic lines. Wealthy merchants and professionals, particularly those in established commercial and professional networks, were more likely to take Kenyan citizenship, viewing themselves as secure and integral to Kenya's future. Those with fewer resources and less secure economic positions were more likely to maintain British passports as insurance. This created divisions within the community between those betting their future on Kenya and those maintaining an exit option.
The Agonizing Decision
For many families, this was an agonizing decision that involved weighing conflicting loyalties and fears. Parents had to decide not only for themselves but for their children, determining what nationality their children would hold. Some families were divided, with some members taking Kenyan citizenship while others maintained British passports.
Later Regrets
As Africanisation policies intensified in the mid-1960s, those who had chosen Kenyan citizenship often came to regret their decision. They had renounced the option to leave Kenya, only to find that their position in Kenya was becoming more precarious. Those who had maintained British citizenship, by contrast, found that their passports became valuable insurance, allowing them to emigrate to Britain as the situation deteriorated.
The 1968 Exodus
The passage of the Commonwealth Immigrants Act in Britain in 1968 reinforced the importance of the passport question. Those holding British passports rushed to emigrate before the immigration door closed. Those holding only Kenyan citizenship could not leave for Britain and were forced to remain in Kenya regardless of their personal preferences.
Long-term Consequences
The passport question created divisions within the Asian community that persisted for decades. Those who had emigrated and those who had stayed occupied different circumstances and often had divergent interests. The question reinforced the broader tension about whether Asians truly belonged in Kenya or were fundamentally oriented toward leaving.
The Legacy
The passport question remains a historical marker of the precarious position of the Asian community at independence. It illustrates the difficult choices that minorities in newly independent nations sometimes face regarding identity, loyalty, and national belonging. It also illustrates the importance of having options when facing uncertain futures.
See Also
- The Question of Belonging
- Asians at Independence
- Kenyan Asians Overview
- The Three-Tier Racial Hierarchy Legacy
- Post-Election Violence 2007 and Asians
- Asians Who Left for Britain
Sources
- Gregory, Robert G. (1993). "South Asians in East Africa: An Economic and Social History." Westview Press. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/
- Mangat, Jagjit S. (1969). "A History of the Asians in East Africa: c. 1886 to 1945." Oxford University Press. https://global.oup.com/
- Werbner, Pnina & Modood, Tariq (ed.) (1997). "Debating Cultural Hybridity: Multi-Cultural Identities and the Politics of Anti-Racism." Zed Books. https://www.zedbooks.co.uk/