Germany denies 250,000 jobs deal as Ruto jets in

President William Ruto and the Germany Chancellor Olaf Scholz, witnessing the sign of declaration on Climate Development Partnership, in Sharma El-Sheikh, Egypt. [PCS]

Confusion has rocked President William Ruto’s job promise abroad, just hours after his return from Germany, where he indicated that he had secured an agreement to facilitate the jobs cause.

This follows Germany’s Federal Ministry of Interior and Community denying reports pointing to the signing of a labour agreement with Kenya to accommodate 250,000 Kenyan workers.

Ruto who was on a three-day official visit to Germany, signed a labour, talent, and mobility agreement at a ceremony at the Chancellery in Berlin, witnessed by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

“This information is clearly false. The agreement between Germany and Kenya does not include any numbers or quotas of skilled workers who will have the opportunity to work in our country,” Germany’s Ministry of Interior and Homeland debunked this on platform X.

“All applicants must fulfil the strict requirements of the German Skilled Immigration Act.”

But according to Ruto, the first recruitment of young people to go and work in Germany is expected on September 27, saying his dream is being realised progressively.

“You know, there is a difference between those who walk in faith. Many people do not understand me and when I say something, they think it will not happen. This is because they walk by sight, the rest of us walk by faith. There is a world of a difference between those who walk by sight and those who walk by faith. That is the difference between me and many other leaders who talk too many things but we will show them it is workable slowly and they will understand us,” Ruto affirmed.

The labour agreement with Germany was first discussed during Scholz’s visit to Kenya in May last year, and though the exact number of Kenyans under the deal remains unclear, since German authorities have dismissed claims that 250,000 workers will be recruited.

On Sunday, Ruto affirmed that while in Germany, they not only reached an agreement but also signed it. He added that his government is committed to delivering on its promise to see as many young people employed locally and abroad.

Underscoring the critical place of Kenya globally, Ruto said that Kenya was the only country in Africa invited to the annual citizens’ festival for Germany and now the two countries have a deal.

“Our country is recognised across the world, it was the only one invited in Africa to take part in the festival and now we have a deal for young Kenyans to work in Germany while in Kenya. We have another chance for young Kenyans to get education visas while others can go there to work in German companies,” Ruto said after attending a Sunday service at the Stewards Revival Pentecostal Church in Nairobi.

Ruto has assured that the government will not allow unlicensed recruitment agencies to operate warning of dire consequences to those found operating contrary to the law.

“We want this arrangement to be corruption-free, seamless and eventually benefit the people we are targeting. In a labor market where we are injecting a million young people every year, we have other interventions we are using to create jobs but cannot catch up with the labor market numbers we are working with,” Ruto said.

As Kenyans go to Germany, Ruto said they have clear instructions to learn more and get better skills because this is a temporary measure, explaining that at a certain point it will not make business sense to travel abroad.

He was optimistic that the move will soon facilitate the transfer of German companies to Kenya and more people will secure jobs.

Ruto said the journey to ensure young Kenyans are employed abroad began when Scholz visited the country and indicated that he has opportunities for different countries, including Kenya.

On Saturday, the government stated that Kenya and Germany had signed the much-anticipated agreement on sharing labour, talent, and mobility.

The agreement is aimed at providing a framework for cooperation and information exchange on labour mobility, apprenticeships, student training, labour market needs, employment, employee welfare, and the readmission and return of workers.

The two countries are said to have committed to cooperate in promoting fair mobility of skilled workers, students, and apprentices. They will also promote temporary migration for vocational education, training, and gainful employment, including exploring opportunities for seasonal work.

It also covered promoting residence in Germany for gainful employment, including temporary residence for job seekers, and collaborating in skills development and training.

When Chancellor Scholz visited in May last year, Ruto said they discussed in detail employment opportunities for 250,000 professional, skilled and semiskilled Kenyans in Germany, to meet Germany’s huge labour requirements.

“I have also urged Chancellor Scholz to review and ease immigration laws to enable Kenyans find employment in Germany. We have therefore agreed to establish a technical team from my office and the ministries of Foreign Affairs and Labour in both countries, to initiate discussions, expeditiously navigate the procedures and formulate an appropriate framework for the export of labour to Germany,” Ruto said during Scholz’ visit.