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The Ministry of Education is exploring expanded employment opportunities for Kenyan youth in Germany as part of ongoing bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba on Monday, January 20, 2025, met with German Ambassador Sebastian Groth and German Parliament member Dr. Christoph Hoffmann to discuss strengthening existing partnerships in education and employment.

“Today I held a meeting with the German Ambassador to Kenya, H.E Sebastian Groth and Hon. Dr. Christoph Hoffmann, member of the German Parliament,” Ogamba said in a statement posted on January 20, 2025, on his X account.

The talks focused on deepening bilateral ties, building upon Kenya and Germany’s established collaboration in education, which includes infrastructure development, teacher training, and STEM education initiatives.

“The meeting discussed ways of deepening and expanding the existing bilateral ties,” Ogamba said.

Present at the meeting were Principal Secretary for Higher Education and Research Dr Beatrice Muganda Inyangala and Principal Secretary for TVET Dr Esther Thaara Muoria, who emphasized the potential for expanded opportunities for Kenyan youth in the German job market.

“In attendance were Principal Secretaries, Dr. Beatrice Muganda Inyangala and Dr. Esther Thaara Muoria, emphasizing ongoing collaboration for mutual benefits in education and employment opportunities for Kenyan youth,” the ministry disclosed in another statement posted on January 21, 2025, on their X account.

The partnership between the two countries has historically focused on educational development, with Germany providing support through scholarships and technical assistance in various educational sectors.

“Kenya and Germany enjoy long-standing bilateral relations in the field of education. We have worked together to improve infrastructure in our educational institutions, capacity building of teachers, provision of scholarships, fostering STEM Education and in the creation of employment opportunities for Kenyan youth,” the statement read.

Jobs abroad

This latest move echoes President William Ruto’s emphasis on seeking employment opportunities abroad for Kenyan youths.

Since assuming office in 2022, President Ruto has initiated various programs to facilitate this effort, with the most recent being the ‘Kazi Majuu’ initiative, managed by the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection.

However, the ‘Kazi Majuu’ programme has faced criticism, as many Kenyans have raised concerns about the types of jobs available and warned about the potential for brain drain in the country.

In a statement dated December 11, 2025, Labour and Social Protection Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua defended the programme, stating that it offers a valuable opportunity for Kenya to develop by acquiring skills gained in developed countries.

He emphasized that the programme helps bridge the gap of unemployment in the nation and fosters economic progress by introducing better ideas.

“There is this debate about brain drain versus brain dead. When people leave the country to work overseas, they are not going to remain there permanently. Instead, they are acquiring skills that we currently lack in Kenya. For example, if you go to Germany or England to work as a technician, you are learning better ways of doing things,” Mutua said.