Machogu urges more enrolment in nursing courses, says there are jobs abroad

Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu has urged learners to enrol for nursing courses in order to work overseas.

He said Kenya has signed deals with select foreign countries to export medical practitioners in a bid to reduce unemployment.

Machogu said the select countries pay nurses well and are offering renewable contracts.

The CS spoke at the Kenya Medical Training College, Teso Campus in Busia county.

“You need to work very hard and pass your exams. If you perform well in your nursing and other related courses you stand a high chance of working abroad," he said.

"The US, UK and other well-established countries are looking to employ Kenyan professionals."

Statista Market Forecast says unemployment rate in Kenya is at 5.4 per cent this year.

Kenya has so far signed deals to export nurses and midwives to the UK and Saudi Arabia.

The nurses are expected to earn the equivalent of Sh450,000 per month.

On August 21, Health CS Susan Nakhumicha flagged off a second cohort of Kenyan nurses to the UK in a bilateral labour agreement.

She said the government is grateful to nurses who not only serve in the UK but also “take our great work ethic miles away from home”.

“The Bilateral Labour Agreement between Kenya and the United Kingdom exemplifies the strength and benefits of international collaboration and partnerships,” Nakhumicha said.

The exchange, according to the CS, offers an opportunity for increased skills and knowledge in healthcare, while fostering a stronger bond between the two nations.

On July 11, the government announced a nurses and midwives exportation deal with Saudi Arabia and called for applications.

The Ministry of Labour urged qualified nurses and midwives to apply through the National Employment Authority online portal.

Principal Secretary State Department for Labour and Skills Development Geoffrey Kikuko said the contracts will be renewed annually.

Kenya will have bi-weekly meetings between the Ministry of Labour and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to ensure safe and productive labour migration.

There have been numerous cases of abuse of Kenyan workers, mostly domestic help, in the Middle East.

Machogu said President William Ruto’s decision to open employment opportunities for Kenyans abroad is aimed at fulfilling the President’s campaign pledge of creating job opportunities for the youth.

He said the government will continue to support tertiary education with the aim of creating a large pool of professionals.

Ruto on June 16 assured Kenyans abroad that his administration will create a conducive working environment both at home and abroad.

“We want to position our young people to take full advantage of the digital economy and online talent marketplace. We also see opportunities in agriculture and housing that can generate significant employment opportunities,” Ruto said.

He said this during his address to the Kenyan community in Geneva, Switzerland.