Kenya’s Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary, Alfred Mutua, held a meeting with the UK’s Commonwealth delegation in London to discuss opportunities for Kenyans seeking work in the United Kingdom. The Kenyan government is looking to secure positions for 2,000 more Kenyan nurses to work in the UK, as well as 1,000 jobs for seasonal agricultural workers in the UK farm sector and 8,000 seasonal jobs in construction, hospitality, and health in the Isle of Jersey and the Bailiwick of Guernsey.
During the meeting, Mutua also requested that the UK double the number of scholarship slots for Kenyan students, increasing the current number of 40 Chevening and 20 Commonwealth scholarships to 80 and 40, respectively. The UK delegation, led by James Cleverly, Secretary of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, also discussed regional peace and security matters, agreeing to explore ways to end the war in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia, and South Sudan.
In addition, both sides discussed ongoing projects and agreements that were signed when leaders met at COP 27 in Egypt and during Cleverly’s visit to Kenya. The UK government praised Kenya’s commitment to improving peace, security, and prosperity in the region, and both sides agreed to continue exploring avenues for economic and trade partnerships.
The meeting came as Kenya was selected, alongside 23 other African countries, to attend the United Kingdom – African Investment Summit, scheduled for April 24-25, 2024. The conference aims to enhance economic partnerships between the UK and Africa, and create job opportunities for the African continent.
Other African countries attending the summit include Algeria, Angola, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Malawi, Mauritania, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, and Nigeria. The conference will strengthen UK-African partnerships, promote women entrepreneurs, and support British and African talent in finance and technology sectors.
