Whether it is nurses in Germany, agricultural interns in Denmark, or mechanics in Australia, the skilled workforce is leaving the country, drawn by better opportunities and structured migration pathways supported by bilateral agreements.

Data from the National Employment Authority (NEA) reveals that in the 2023/2024 financial year alone, 103,878 Kenyans secured jobs abroad, up from 98,247 the previous year.

The majority were women, with a significant number placed in domestic roles. However, the tide is slowly shifting, with more Kenyans now finding professional jobs in countries with formal Bilateral Labour Agreements (BLAs), such as Germany, the United Kingdom, and Qatar.