Recruitment of Kenyan Nurses to the UK Still on, Gov’t Clarifies

The Ministry of Health has refuted reports claiming that the UK government has halted the recruitment of Kenyan healthcare workers.

This follows an earlier notice by the UK Health department stating that Kenya had been added to its recruitment amber list. 

In a joint statement, Kenya’s Ministry of Health and the British High Commission in Nairobi clarified that the recruitment process remains intact, adding that it has been strengthened in line with the World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines.

“Moving Kenya from green to amber means international recruitment is only permitted in compliance with the terms of a government-to-government agreement.”

“This will stop private companies from taking advantage of the interest generated by the agreement between our two governments, and stop uncontrolled recruitment,” read the statement in part.

The ministry further announced plans by Kenya and the UK to set up a hub at the Kenya Medical Training College in Nairobi to be used by Kenyan health workers when preparing for admission exams.  

“The Ministry of Health is also making every effort to ensure that we promote ethical and high standards in the recruitment of healthcare personnel in accordance with international best practices of fairness and transparency.”

In July, Kenya and the UK signed an MOU on Health Workforce Collaboration, which allows Kenyan nurses to be employed in the British public healthcare system.

Labor Cabinet Secretary Simon Chelugui said Kenya would send at least 20,000 nurses to the UK to address a shortage of 62,000.