After nearly ten years of calling Kenya home, British-born content creator Elliot Berry, popularly known as Mlami Mwitu, has officially become a Kenyan citizen.
The social media sensation, who captured hearts for his fluent Swahili and deep appreciation of local culture, announced the news on his social platforms this week, describing it as “a dream finally realized.”
“Big announcement! I’m happy to share that I am now officially a Kenyan citizen through the loooooong process of naturalization,” he wrote on Instagram, alongside photos of himself holding a Kenyan Passport.
Elliot Berry first arrived in Kenya nearly a decade ago for volunteer and community development work. Over time, he became immersed in everyday Kenyan life — from learning Swahili and eating ugali to riding matatus and joining village events.
What started as curiosity evolved into a personal mission: to live, speak and identify as Kenyan in both spirit and lifestyle.
His stage name, ‘Mlami Mwitu,’ loosely translates to ‘the wild white man’— a playful nod to how he broke away from the stereotype of the distant expatriate, choosing instead to blend into Kenyan culture with genuine enthusiasm.
Berry’s journey to fame began on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, where his comedic sketches about Kenyan life — delivered in fluent Swahili and Sheng — quickly went viral.
His humour revolves around Kenyan daily routines, social quirks, and the lighter side of cultural interaction.
He built a persona that resonated deeply: a foreigner who not only admired Kenya but actively lived it. In one video, he jokes about being more Kenyan than some Kenyans, declaring, “Sasa mimi ni Mkenya halisi, si Mzungu tena!” (Now I’m a real Kenyan, not a foreigner anymore!)
His deep integration, humility, and appreciation of the country’s diversity made him a local favourite, earning invitations to national campaigns and collaborations with Kenyan brands.
Kenyan citizenship laws allow foreigners who have resided in the country for at least seven years to apply for naturalization. The process involves background checks, interviews, and approval by the Cabinet Secretary for the Interior and National Administration.
Berry first hinted at beginning the process in 2021, sharing the bureaucratic frustrations and paperwork hurdles with humour. “I’ve done my fingerprints more times than a criminal,” he quipped in a 2022 TikTok video, describing how long the application was taking.
Now, three years later, his persistence has paid off. He confirmed receiving his Kenyan national ID, passport, and certificate of nationality, marking the official completion of the process.
Beyond humour, Berry has been involved in several community initiatives in Uasin Gishu County, where he helps mentor and support boys growing up without fathers. He says his work with the youth is one of the main reasons he chose to settle permanently in Kenya.
His grassroots involvement has earned him admiration from locals, who see him not as a tourist but as a neighbour.