Kenyans seeking to work in the United Kingdom will be accorded a chance following a meeting between Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua and United Kingdom's Commonwealth delegation in London on Wednesday, March 15.
In a statement issued by the Foreign Affairs CS, the government sought slots for 2,000 more Kenyan nurses to work in the UK, 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.
In addition, Mutua sought the UK delegation, led by James Cleverly, Secretary of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, to double the scholarship slots to Kenya from the current 40 Chevening and 20 Commonwealth to 80 and 40 respectively.
"We discussed issues of mutual interest and underscored the need for peace and stability because what happens in one part of the world affects another unrelated part of the world," he stated.
The delegation also discussed matters of regional peace and security whereby they both agreed to explore ingenious pathways to end the war in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia and South Sudan.
"The United Kingdom appreciates and lauded Kenya’s commitment to improving peace, security and prosperity in Kenya and in the Region," Mutua noted.
"We updated each other on the ongoing projects and agreements that we signed when our leaders met at COP 27 in Egypt and when James Cleverly visited Kenya. Our trade and development programs are set to grow to higher heights," he added.
The news came as Kenya was among 24 African countries picked to attend the United Kingdom - African Investment Summit scheduled for 2024.
The purpose of the conference, scheduled for April 24, 2024, to April 25, 2024, will be to enhance the economic partnership between the UK and create jobs for the African continent.
Other countries picked were Algeria, Angola, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Malawi, Mauritania, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia and Nigeria.
"It will strengthen UK-African partnerships to create jobs and growth, support British and African talent in sectors such as finance and technology, and promote women entrepreneurs," read part of a statement released by the UK Government on March 9, 2023.
