600 Kenyan Students Begin German Language Training Under Labour Mobility Deal

Kenya and Germany have launched a labour mobility agreement that promotes skilled migration while strengthening cultural ties and diplomatic relations between the two countries.

At a recent event hosted by the German Embassy in Nairobi, senior officials from both nations highlighted the programme’s role in economic empowerment and cultural exchange. Roseline Njogu, Principal Secretary for Diaspora Affairs, described the initiative as a strategic investment in human capital that helps young Kenyan professionals gain global experience.

She noted that participants learn a new language, adapt to German culture, and represent Kenya’s resilience abroad. The partnership includes educational collaboration with Tom Mboya University in Homa Bay, enrolling 600 students in a German language course supported by the German Embassy and the Goethe Institute.

This training prepares candidates for integration into German society and positions them as informal ambassadors of Kenyan culture. Germany is home to approximately 15,000 Kenyans, making it a key destination for the Kenyan diaspora after the United States and the United Kingdom. The bilateral agreement facilitates safe and organised migration, responding to labour market needs while supporting migrants’ welfare.

Kenya’s government prioritises the protection of its citizens abroad through consular services, legal safeguards under the Foreign Service Act, and digital monitoring to prevent exploitation. Kenya’s legal framework against human trafficking, led by the Counter-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2010, supports these efforts, though challenges remain in victim identification and consistent protection.

German Ambassador to Kenya, H.E. Sebastian Groth, praised Kenya’s proactive approach to labour mobility. He emphasised that the agreement benefits both countries by addressing Germany’s labour shortages and enhancing bilateral friendship.