Kenya has moved a step closer to expanding employment opportunities abroad following high-level discussions between senior government officials and a visiting delegation from the Provincial government of New Brunswick in Canada.
The meeting, held in Nairobi and led by Principal Secretary for Labour and Skills Development Shadrack Mwadime, focused on deepening labour mobility cooperation between the two governments.
The Canadian delegation, led b Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour Deputy Minister Daniel Mills and Immigration Assistant Deputy Minister Dany Couillard, held extensive deliberations with the Kenyan team on strengthening structured labour migration pathways for skilled Kenyan workers.
The Kenyan side comprised senior government officials, including Principal Secretaries Ouma Oluga (Medical Services), Mary Muthoni (Public Health), and Esther Muoria (Technical and Vocational Education and Training).
Also present was National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Labour chairperson Ken Chonga.
PS Mwadime described the engagement as an important milestone in advancing Kenya’s global labour diplomacy.
He stated that it will open up employment opportunities for Kenyan professionals and artisans in health, education, and construction sectors.
“This meeting underscores Kenya’s commitment to secure decent and dignified employment for its people through well-structured, ethical, and mutually beneficial partnerships,” he said.
Mwadime noted that the talks were a follow-up to a similar mission he led to Canada in September, which sought to open the Canadian labour market to skilled Kenyan workers.
Mills on his part said Kenya stands to benefit immensely from job opportunities available in New Brunswick, adding that the government-to-government framework would ensure future recruitment happens under clear ethical guidelines.
“Canada is looking for skilled and disciplined labour, and Kenya’s youthful workforce presents a great opportunity for partnership,” he said.
The discussions also touched on enhancing skills development, mutual recognition of qualifications, and improving welfare mechanisms for migrant workers.
According to Mwadime, the collaboration is part of a broader government plan to diversify Kenya’s labour export markets and ensure Kenyans work under safe, fair, and regulated conditions abroad.
The two teams are expected to hold further talks on developing a formal framework that will govern the recruitment, deployment, and welfare of Kenyan workers heading to Canada.
During a recent visit to Canada, Mwadime announced that the government is developing an incentive package to encourage Kenyans working abroad to invest back home.
“We desire to come up with packages for Kenyans as they work abroad by ensuring that we give tax holidays so that their investments yield the highest possible returns,” he said.
