The Kenyan government has moved to lure foreign investors into the country by offering them an easy path to citizenship.
Speaking during the launch of the 60-day Rapid Results Initiative Programme (RRI) at Nyayo House, Industrialization CS Betty Maina welcomed investors to come into the country promising them a chance to become bona fide Kenyans.
The RRI program is set to speed up the issuance of citizenship documents to applicants.
It was launched to clear the backlog of citizenship applications at Nyayo House and will run from June 2 to July 31. All applications will be done online and will be processed in the shortest time possible.
CS Maina asked all foreign investors with long-awaited applications to revisit their applications and follow the process in the new system.
She also encouraged investors who had not applied to begin the process.
The CS appealed to the Department of Immigration Director-General to make the process as effortless as possible.
The system would guarantee a quick response to applicants hence eliminate the need for them to fall victim to brokers and intermediaries.
“Kenya remains a very open place for investors and we welcome them here,” Maina reiterated.
Interior CS Fred Matiang’i, who was also present, warned against anyone who would try to sabotage the program. He stated that the ministry would have men on the inside to ensure the smooth running of the process.
Currently, the law requires foreigners to have stayed in the country for at least seven years to qualify to apply for Kenyan citizenship.
On May 20, parliament approved the Treasury’s Legal Notice No.15 that exempted Japanese companies, consultants and employees undertaking local projects from local taxation.
