Germany Clarifies Government Claims of Recruiting 250,000 Skilled workers from Kenya

On Friday, September 13, Kenya and Germany signed an agreement on labour, talent, and mobility during President William Ruto’s visit to Germany.

The German government has refuted reports that it would recruit 250,000 skilled workers from Kenya.

In a statement on Saturday, September 14, the German Federal Ministry of Interior clarified that in Germany’s agreement with Kenya, no numbers were included.

It disclosed that all Kenyan applicants must fulfill the requirements of the German Skilled Immigration Act in order to work in the country.

“This Information is clearly false. The agreement between Germany and Kenya does not include any numbers or quotas of skilled workers who will have the opportunity to work in Germany. All applicants must fulfil the strict requirements of the German Skilled Immigration Act,” read the statement by the ministry.

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On Friday, September 13, Kenya and Germany signed an agreement on labour, talent, and mobility during President William Ruto’s visit to Germany.

Prime CS Musalia Mudavadi during the signing of the agreement.
According to the State House, the purpose of the agreement was to provide a framework for cooperation and information exchange on labour mobility, apprenticeships, student training, labour market needs and employment.

“The two governments also resolved to work together to ensure fair and ethical recruitment practices, provide labour market information and cooperate in providing consular services for skilled workers, students and apprentices,” read the statement by the State House.

The two nations also committed to preventing and combating irregular migration, smuggling of people, forced labour, exploitation of labour, human trafficking, as well as protecting victims.

President Ruto urged Germany to capitalize on Kenya’s top-tier human capital, highlighting that it is among the best in the world.

“We have the best human resource capital which is young, energetic, creative, hardworking and innovative,” Ruto remarked.