How Pemba Citizenship Opened Doors to Business, Property Ownership and Voting

Three years after the Pemba community was granted Kenyan citizenship, beneficiaries say the recognition has transformed their lives by giving them access to national identity documents and opportunities that had previously remained out of reach.

The acquisition of Kenyan citizenship has enabled members of the community to obtain national identity cards, operate businesses legally, access banking services, own property and participate more freely in public life.

In Mayungu, Kilifi County, Juma Masoud says obtaining a national ID was a major turning point that enabled him to operate his fish business openly and acquire the licences required by authorities. 

"Before citizenship, operating a business openly was difficult because I lacked the documents required by authorities," he said.

Masoud has since expanded his economic activities and made investments in his own name. 

He has bought land, built a house and acquired a vehicle and a bajaj, achievements that were previously difficult because of his lack of official identification.

The change has also improved access to financial services and increased acceptance of Pemba people within the communities where they live.

Ibrahim Mohamed, a Pemba born in Mombasa, says the increased recognition has also enabled him to participate in local leadership. 

Residents of Mayungu have since elected him as a village elder, reflecting the greater level of inclusion enjoyed by members of the community.

The citizenship recognition has addressed years of challenges faced by Pemba fishermen and traders, who previously said they experienced discrimination and restrictions because they lacked identification documents.

"Some were unable to seek business opportunities, obtain licences or access services freely, while others resorted to using identities that did not reflect their Pemba heritage," he stated.

The situation has since changed, with members now able to pursue business opportunities and access government and financial services using official Kenyan identification.

The recognition has also opened the door to greater participation in Kenya's electoral process.

For the first time, members of the Pemba community are preparing to participate in the country's General Election next year, with some already registered as voters.

Elsewhere, development projects in Taita Taveta County are transforming the lives of residents by creating jobs, improving transport and opening up opportunities in sports, business, housing and entertainment.

Among the projects generating excitement is the Voi Stadium, which residents say will provide a much-needed facility for nurturing young talent while attracting visitors and boosting the local economy.

Ezekiel Maghanga, a resident of Voi, said the stadium had given residents hope after more than 20 years without a proper sports facility.

"Taita Taveta has a lot of talent, but many youths lost direction because there was no proper facility to support and develop their abilities," he said.

The stadium is also creating employment during construction, with residents saying its benefits are extending beyond sports.

Siminglton Mjomba, a Taita Taveta resident, said about 300 youths had already secured work at the construction site, with their earnings supporting other businesses in the community.

"Once complete, it will give footballers a proper platform and exposure, while competitions and visitors will boost accommodation, food businesses and local trade," he stated.

Mjomba said the project would help address challenges previously faced by footballers and entertainers who lacked suitable facilities to develop their talents and host events.

Transport infrastructure is also changing the economic prospects of residents, with the construction of a tarmac road making it easier to move people and goods.