Kenya on Tuesday launched a 60-day rapid results initiative (RRI) program to expedite the issuance of citizenship to persons who had lost their status with the promulgation of the country's new constitution in 2010.

The initiative was announced by the Interior Minister Fred Matiang'i who noted that the loss of citizenship had impacted negatively on thousands of people.

"Henceforth, regularization of the status of Kenyans who renounced or lost their Kenyan citizenship before promulgation of the new constitution will be expeditious following the establishment of a special unit to handle the applications," he said.

"Being a stateless person denies you documents of identity such as national ID cards and passports, without which you miss opportunity for education and gainful employment. During this RRI Program, applications for citizenship for this category will be expedited."

The RRI program, which will start on June 2 and run until July 31, is expected to help clear a backlog of around 25,000 applications of 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.