Kenyan Educators Offered Opportunity to Teach Kiswahili in the US Under Fulbright Program

The U.S. Embassy in Nairobi has announced a Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant (FLTA) program, providing Kenyan educators a chance to teach Kiswahili in American institutions during the 2026-2027 academic year. 

The initiative aims to promote cultural and linguistic understanding within US educational settings through the integration of foreign language instruction. Announced on Wednesday, April 23, the program is open to Kiswahili teachers holding a bachelor's degree or its equivalent. Successful applicants will engage in a year-long program, sharing Kenya’s linguistic and cultural heritage with US students. Interested candidates must submit their applications by May 16, 2025, ensuring they meet the specified eligibility criteria, which include language proficiency and a commitment to cultural exchange.

The Fulbright FLTA program underscores the importance of fostering global ties through education, providing participants with immersive professional and cultural exchange experiences. This program seeks to create mutual benefits for both host institutions and visiting educators, reinforcing language as a bridge between diverse communities and enabling deeper cross-cultural understanding. The application process accommodates various backgrounds. Kenyans enrolled in US undergraduate or graduate programs should apply through their respective institutions. 

Those previously educated in the US but not currently enrolled can apply through their last US-based institution, provided it supports alumni applications. Individuals without prior US academic affiliations can apply as at-large candidates. Preference is given to applicants who have not previously received a Fulbright grant, and those whose higher education was primarily undertaken in the United States receive additional consideration. This approach aims to diversify opportunities while upholding the Fulbright program’s commitment to introducing fresh perspectives.

In related news, Kenya is advancing efforts to streamline labour migration services. Members of the National Assembly Committee on Diaspora Affairs and Migrant Workers recently announced plans to integrate these services into the Huduma Centre framework. This initiative proposes establishing a centralised "one-stop shop" for Kenyans seeking overseas employment, enhancing accessibility and efficiency in public service delivery. Presented on April 22, this plan is part of a broader effort to decentralise essential services. 

The MPs have outlined their strategy, including consultations with key stakeholders and benchmarking visits to the existing labour migration centre at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA). By incorporating these services into Huduma Centres, the government aims to simplify migration processes for its citizens. Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku has proposed significant changes to passport application procedures. 

During visits to Huduma Centres in Thika and Kiambu, Ruku emphasised the need to move passport processing to these centres to reduce congestion at traditional immigration offices like Nyayo House. Currently, Kenya has only nine passport-issuing centres located in Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, Eldoret, Embu, Kisii, Bungoma, and Kericho. Ruku's plan would extend passport services to 58 Huduma Centres across all 47 counties, significantly broadening access. 

This decentralisation aligns with the Ministry of Labour’s ongoing efforts to facilitate international employment opportunities for Kenyans. The government has been actively collaborating with countries such as Qatar, Canada, Australia, and various European nations to secure positions for Kenyan workers, both skilled and unskilled.