Pemba people finally given Kenyan citizenship, ending their statelessness

The Pemba live along the Indian Ocean, on the Kenyan coast. They arrived in the 1930s and have since been stateless – living without title deeds, social security, access to studies or fishing permits. But this is changing, as the Kenyan government has now officially recognised this community of several thousand people. The steps allowing the Pemba to obtain Kenyan citizenship have begun and they will receive their identity cards in a few months’ time. It’s a chance at a new life for a community that has been marginalised for 90 years. Our correspondents report.