Kenya has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a labour recruitment agency based in the United Kingdom, which will enable Kenyan students and recent graduates to access employment opportunities in the UK.
In a statement on Thursday, May 22, the State Department for Diaspora Affairs said it has signed an MoU with HOPS Labour Solutions Limited, opening doors for Kenyan students and recent graduates in the agriculture and horticulture sectors to access short-term employment opportunities under the United Kingdom’s Seasonal Workers Scheme (SWS).
According to the department, the initiative aims to enhance practical skills, improve career prospects, and provide international exposure to Kenyan youth, while simultaneously addressing labour shortages in the UK’s agricultural sector.
Kenya secures career opportunities for students
During the signing ceremony in London, Diaspora Affairs Principal Secretary Roselyne Njogu described the agreement as a historic milestone and a timely intervention to create meaningful and ethical employment opportunities for Kenyan youth.
“This MoU reaffirms our commitment to equipping young Kenyans with the skills and experience needed to compete in the global market. It also strengthens our agricultural sector by enabling students to return with valuable international expertise,” PS Njogu stated.
The agreement guarantees that Kenyan participants will not incur recruitment or placement fees, protecting them from exploitation and reinforcing the government’s zero-tolerance stance on unethical labor practices.
It also highlights a broader commitment to ethical recruitment and the welfare of all participants.
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PS Njogu praised HOPS Labour Solutions, licensed by the UK’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), as a trusted and ethical partner in this venture.
“We are confident in HOPS’ ability to maintain high ethical standards and comply with both UK and Kenyan labor laws,” she added.
“This partnership lays the foundation for expanded labor mobility and future cooperation across other sectors, marking the start of a long-term, mutually beneficial relationship.”
Beyond employment, the collaboration is expected to foster cultural and professional exchange, broadening participants’ perspectives and building networks between Kenya and the UK.
Officials from both countries expressed optimism about the MoU’s potential to empower youth, advance agricultural development, and strengthen bilateral relations.
Meeting with Labor Abuse Authority in London
PS Njogu had earlier met with the UK’s Labor Abuse Authority (LAA) in London to strengthen collaboration aimed at protecting Kenyan migrant workers.
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The discussions focused on combating labor exploitation and human trafficking, with the PS reaffirming Kenya’s dedication to safeguarding the rights and welfare of its citizens working abroad.
Key points included establishing a strategic partnership to facilitate structured cooperation in information sharing, victim support, and monitoring labor recruitment practices.
Further, the PS and LAA officials highlighted the urgent need to address recruitment costs that often result in debt bondage among migrant workers.
They also agreed on the importance of distributing educational materials to inform workers about their rights and available channels for redress.
This engagement is expected to significantly bolster the State Department for Diaspora Affairs’ (SDDA) protection initiatives by leveraging the UK’s expertise and infrastructure in labor rights enforcement.
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