The Kenyan Government on Saturday flagged off the first batch of teachers who had secured job opportunities in the United States. 

This followed a policy and regulator framework regarding teachers’ labour mobility that was agreed upon by the State Department of Diaspora Affairs and the Teachers Service Commission in February 2024. 

The first batch of teachers being exported to the US was seen off by Ambassador Isaiya Kabira who is the Secretary of Investments and Entrepreneurship.

A statement from the State Department of Diaspora Affairs revealed that this was an initiative to source job opportunities abroad as a way to enhance Kenya’s socio-economic development.

“In line with the mandate of the State Department of Diaspora Affairs to promote the welfare of the Kenyan diaspora, the recruitment initiative offers comprehensive support during the transition period through pre-departure sessions,” the Department revealed of the exercise.

“This initiative emphasises on the broader impact of labour mobility and Kenya’s position in the global labour market.”

According to the State Department, more teachers will be exported to different countries in the coming days. 

This followed the February 2024 assessment that revealed there was an increasing demand for Kenyan teachers in Africa and outside the continent. 

Notably, the Kenya Kwanza administration has also been exporting other workers to different countries that have signed bilateral labour agreements with Kenya.

On February 3, Labour Cabinet Secretary Florence Bore revealed that 500 migrant workers were exported to work in Saudi Arabia, Oman, Germany and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). 

The Saturday, July 6, batch signalled the first time Kenya was exporting a whole team to partake in skilled employment. 

Initially, most Kenyans have been going abroad as unskilled or semi-skilled workers. 

President William Ruto has in the past revealed that Kenya seeks to export close to 5,000 skilled and semi-skilled workers every week.