Ok, now I got an idea how it would be possible to use a newer kernel.
To build an edison image I will follow this guide: https://communities.intel.com/docs/DOC-23159
Then I will adjust the edison_src/poky/meta/conf/machine/include/qemu.inc file to prefer a certain kernel version: PREVERED_PROVIDER_virtual/kernel?="linux-yocto_3.17"
Could just someone tell me if there is a chance that it will work? Thanks!