In the latest advisory, U.S. authorities warned that American citizens, including those with dual Kenyan-U.S. citizenship, must use valid American passports when entering or leaving the United States.
The notice further cautioned that failure to comply could lead to travel disruptions, denial of boarding, or immigration complications.
The advisory comes amid growing scrutiny of dual citizenship regulations and international travel documentation requirements affecting Americans living abroad.
The U.S. government stressed that citizens cannot use foreign passports in place of U.S. passports when traveling into America, even if they possess another nationality.
For thousands of Kenyans with American citizenship, the directive serves as a critical reminder to ensure their travel documents are valid before making international trips.
According to information published by American Citizens Services, U.S./Kenya dual nationals are encouraged to carry both passports while traveling. Travelers may be required to present their American passport to U.S. immigration officials and their Kenyan passport when entering or leaving Kenya.
The notice also highlighted that U.S. citizens are not eligible to apply for U.S. visas using foreign passports because they are legally recognized as American citizens.
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Authorities warned that attempting to travel using only a Kenyan passport while being an American citizen could trigger delays or questioning at immigration checkpoints.
The warning has sparked concern among members of the Kenyan diaspora, many of whom frequently travel between the two countries for work, education, and family matters.
At the same time, the U.S. State Department renewed its travel guidance for Kenya, urging American citizens in the country to remain cautious because of crime, terrorism threats, and civil unrest in some regions.
The advisory encouraged travelers to keep copies of their travel documents and enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) for emergency updates.
The American government also reminded dual nationals that holding two citizenships comes with responsibilities in both countries, including obeying immigration laws and maintaining valid documentation.
The latest notice is expected to particularly affect Kenyan-Americans whose U.S. passports have expired or those who have been relying mainly on Kenyan travel documents for international movement.
Immigration experts are now advising affected travelers to renew passports early and verify travel requirements before booking flights to avoid unexpected interruptions.
