About Us
Who We Are
The Pemba Community Forum is a registered Community-Based Organisation formed after the Pemba Community was officially recognized and granted Kenyan citizenship after enduring a long history of statelessness. We are committed to uplifting the lives of the Pemba people and other stateless communities in Kenya through advocacy, awareness, community engagement, and development initiatives aimed at the achievement and enjoyment of equal nationality rights for all. We work to ensure equal rights, access to opportunities, and a brighter future for the stateless, former stateless and those at risk of statelessness, focusing on nationality rights and documentation.
Our Mission
To champion the rights and dignity of the Pemba Community through advocacy, community engagement, education, and empowerment.
Our Vision
To empower the Pemba Community to enjoy equal rights and opportunities.
Our History
A Long Road to Recognition
The Pemba Community has lived along Kenya's coast for generations, mainly relying on fishing for their livelihood. Despite their long presence, they remained stateless for over 50 years after Kenya attained independence, lacking official recognition and citizenship. This denied them access to basic human rights such as education, healthcare, employment, and participation in civic life, while also exposing them to discrimination and harassment.
During this decade-long struggle for nationality, the community made several attempts at formal registration to amplify their nationality quest, but these did not take off. In January 2023, His Excellency President William Ruto officially recognized the Pemba Community as a Kenyan ethnic group, and by July 2023 community members were issued with national identification documents.
Although this marked a major milestone, the community still faces challenges such as limited awareness of their rights, documentation issues, and risks to their ancestral land. Today, PCF continues to work towards full inclusion, equal opportunities, economic empowerment, and protection of their rights.
Milestones
50+ Years Stateless
For generations the Pemba Community lived along Kenya’s coast, relying mainly on fishing for their livelihood — yet remained stateless for over 50 years after independence, denied education, healthcare, employment, and civic participation.
A Decade-Long Push for Recognition
The community made several attempts at formal registration to amplify their nationality quest, facing setbacks that repeatedly stalled progress.
January 2023 — National Recognition
His Excellency President William Ruto officially recognized the Pemba Community as a Kenyan ethnic group.
July 2023 — National IDs Issued
Community members were issued with national identification documents, marking a major milestone after decades of struggle.
Today — Ongoing Work
PCF continues working towards full inclusion, equal opportunities, economic empowerment, and protection of rights, while addressing remaining challenges around awareness, documentation, and land.
Our Partners
Organisations Supporting the Pemba Community
PCF's advocacy builds on the work of partners who have supported the Pemba Community's journey to recognition and rights.
