Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has praised Austria's role in advancing labour and migration cooperation with Kenya, saying the partnership is creating employment opportunities for skilled Kenyan workers.
Mudavadi said the Memorandum of Understanding on Labour and Migration Cooperation had provided a vital framework for linking Kenya's skilled workforce with Austria's growing demand for professionals.
Speaking during a farewell ceremony for outgoing Austrian Ambassador to Kenya Christian Fellner, the PCS noted that the agreement is already bearing fruit, with Kenyan healthcare workers securing jobs in Austria, including at KABEG Hospital in Carinthia.
Mudavadi also commended the success of last year's Austria Job Fair in Nairobi, saying it helped raise awareness of employment opportunities in Austria while guiding prospective applicants on recruitment procedures, eligibility requirements and labour mobility pathways.
He welcomed expanding collaboration between Kenyan and Austrian universities through Erasmus+, Africa-UniNet, joint research programmes and other academic partnerships, saying the initiatives continue to strengthen innovation, research and people-to-people ties.
The Prime CS expressed optimism over the future of Kenya-Austria relations, citing Austria's recently launched Africa Strategy as a sign of deeper engagement with the continent.
Mudavadi also acknowledged Austria's commitment of €40 million in concessional financing and expressed confidence that the Kenya-Austria Framework Agreement for Financial Cooperation and the Labour and Migration Cooperation Agreement would boost investment, sustainable development and economic cooperation.
While appreciating the partnership, he raised concern over delays in implementing the Mokubo Water Supply Project in Kisii and Phase II of the Mother and Child Hospital Project at Kenyatta National Hospital, pledging to work with relevant government agencies to fast-track the projects.
He thanked Ambassador Fellner for his contribution to strengthening bilateral ties over the past nine years, describing his leadership, professionalism and warmth as instrumental in deepening cooperation in trade, labour mobility, education, sustainable development, and peace and security.
"The solid foundation established during your tenure provides an excellent platform for our partnership to continue flourishing under your successor," Mudavadi said.
The CS also bid farewell to European Union Ambassador to Kenya Henriette Geiger, whose term ends on July 31, 2026.
He credited Geiger with helping operationalise the EU-Kenya Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), describing it as a key framework for improving market access and enhancing Kenya's competitiveness in the European market.
Mudavadi noted that 2026 marks 50 years of Kenya-EU relations since the establishment of the EU Delegation in Nairobi in 1976, saying the partnership has continued to grow in trade, development cooperation, governance, climate action and regional security.
