President William Ruto has formally recognized the Pemba as an ethnic community in Kenya.

In a gazette notice dated January 30, the President said the Pemba community will now be issued with relevant identification in accordance with the constitution.

“Kenyans of Pemba heritage constitute a community that is one of the ethnic communities of Kenya; and all persons, Bodies, and Authorities within the Republic of Kenya shall recognize the Pemba Community as an ethnic community of Kenya,” he said

In 2020, the National Assembly considered a petition to have the Pemba community recognized as citizens of Kenya.

The Pemba community is part of the sixteen Swahili dialects living in parts of Kwale, Mombasa, and Kilifi Counties.