Five Transgender Kenyans Sue Gov't to Change their Names

By Mwakilishi | Thu, 11/26/2015 06:46AM -0400

Audrey Mbugua at the Milimani law courts on July 31. She changed her name from Andrew to Audrey

Five transgender Kenyans are suing to compel the state to register their new names on their national ID cards.

The five, who were born men but are now changing to women, said they unsuccessfully applied to change their names on their IDs two years ago.

They are Maurene Muia, Alesandra Ogeta, MariaMbugua, Audrey Mbugua and Dalziel Wafula.

They have sued the principal registrar of persons, the National Registration Bureau and the Attorney General.

In their suit papers, the five say the refusal by the registrar of persons to change their names as requested amounts to failure to discharge the duties of the office.

It also violates the rules of natural justice and is unfair, they say.

The five say they have suffered distress due to daily stigma of being unable to secure employment as a result of the refusal by the state agent to perform their duty.

The five believe the decision by the state officials is unjustified and took into consideration “irrelevant factors”.

It also amounts to violation of their legitimate expectation, they say.

In an affidavit sworn in support of the case, Muia said she formally changed her name by way of deed polls.

- The Star