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The Directorate of Immigration Services has begun implementing the 60-day Rapid Results Initiative (RRI) program.
The initiative, which was launched on May 26th by Interior CS Fred Matiang’i, is aimed at expediting the processing and issuance of citizenship and permanent residence.
Director-general of immigration Alexander Muteshi said the department has identified six priority areas under the two-month program.
Regaining Kenya citizenship and citizenship for spouses, children, widows, and widowers of Kenya citizens will be prioritized.
These will be followed by permanent residence for spouses and children of Kenya citizens, permanent residence for ex-Kenyans, and permanent residence for lawful residents (investors).
“During this period, the directorate will focus on clearing the backlog and establishing a framework for speedy processing and issuance of these vital documents,” said Muteshi.
Kenyans in the diaspora can submit their applications to the nearest mission abroad for onward transmission to Nairobi.
Speaking during the launch, CS Matiang’i said Kenyans who lost their citizenship under the old Constitution will now regain their status.
More than 25,000 applications are presently pending at the immigration offices.
Matiang’i said the government is keen to reunite split families and attract investors who had left the country. He also revealed plans by the government to make amendments to the law to simplify the process of acquiring Kenyan citizenship.
"By the end of the 60-day RRI program, all the backlog of citizenship and Permanent Residence applications shall be cleared and a framework put in place for the speedy issuance of these documents," noted Matiang'i.