It looks like Intel was getting impatient with Google for a 64-bit version of Android. Chipzilla didn't even bother to wait and see if the next version of Android later this year includes a 64-bit kernel. Instead they went ahead and did it themselves. Intel just released a modified version of KitKat which now includes a 64-bit kernel designed for their new 64-bit mobile processors.
Intel indicated that they, “ported, validated and tested the Android Open Source code on IA, taking on the work that developers typically would need to do on their own,” which allowed them to “provide the ecosystem with 64-bit kernel support for development of next-generation devices.”
This is actually a pretty slick idea, because it allows developers the chance to get a head start on 64-bit Android development even before Google actually includes it. Kudos Intel!
Source: BGR