Minnesota Offers Kenyan Nurses Opportunity to Relocate With Their Families

Minnesota State Representative Huldah Momanyi-Hiltsley has returned to Kenya leading a delegation of 14 healthcare providers to forge a bilateral employment partnership. 

Speaking during an interview with K24 TV on Monday, November 9, 2026, the legislator emphasized that the initiative distinguishes itself by offering relocation pathways not just for individual nurses, but for their entire families.

The visit builds on an economic trade engagement between Minnesota and Kenya that gained momentum following discussions between Kenyan officials and the Minnesota Department of Health in June 2025. Representative Momanyi-Hiltsley noted that while Minnesota previously relied heavily on recruitment from Asian countries, the state has turned its attention to Kenya's English-speaking, youthful, and well-trained nursing workforce.

Minnesota faces mounting pressure within its healthcare sector. A March 2026 report from the Minnesota House of Representatives projected that the state could experience a shortage exceeding 30,000 nurses by 2030 as retirements outpace new entrants. Nationally, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects registered nurse employment to grow by six percent between 2025 and 2035, generating approximately 180,800 job openings annually.

Addressing concerns regarding potential brain drain, Momanyi-Hiltsley defended the initiative by pointing to Kenya's pool of qualified yet unemployed nursing graduates. She argued that international placement provides vital opportunities for local professionals while stimulating broader economic benefits and investments for the country.

Despite the active interest from American healthcare institutions, prospective applicants must clear rigorous regulatory hurdles before deployment. Foreign-educated candidates are required to submit a credentials evaluation report verifying that their training meets US standards, pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN), and satisfy state licensing rules. 

Additionally, candidates must obtain a VisaScreen healthcare worker certification to fulfill employment-based immigration requirements, alongside fulfilling English proficiency criteria.

Momanyi-Hiltsley was first elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 2024 as the first legislator of Kenyan heritage. Following her recent re-election victory, she represents District 38A, which covers Osseo and parts of Brooklyn Park, and is scheduled to begin her next two-year term in January 2027.