Ireland opens pathway for Kenyan nurses to work abroad

Ireland has opened a pathway for Kenyan nurses and midwives to work abroad as the two countries agree to negotiate a structured labour mobility framework, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi announced Thursday during St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.

Mudavadi, who also serves as Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Cabinet Secretary, spoke at the event in Nairobi hosted by Irish Minister of State Christopher O’Sullivan. He said Kenya looks forward to the conclusion of the agreement and appreciates Ireland’s commitment.

“Kenya and Ireland have agreed to negotiate a structured labour mobility framework that will allow nurses and midwives to work in Ireland in the coming days,” Mudavadi said. The framework follows Ireland’s October 2024 announcement by its Minister for Health to develop the bilateral deal, aiming to address nursing shortages while investing in Kenya’s professions.

“Kenya regards Ireland as a valued partner and true friend. We take pride in our diverse and multifaceted partnership, which spans a wide range of priority sectors of mutual interest, and we appreciate continued support in strengthening initiatives in food security, climate resilience, governance, and humanitarian assistance,” Mudavadi said.

Deep-Rooted Bilateral Partnership

The St. Patrick’s Day occasion honours Ireland’s patron saint and celebrates values of faith, unity and resilience. Mudavadi noted satisfaction with robust people-to-people exchanges through missionaries, Irish NGOs and diaspora communities in both countries.

“For more than a century, the Irish Missionaries have been part and parcel of our society, supporting the development of schools and hospitals, helping to provide essential services in remote and underserved communities,” he added. Kenya values contributions of Irish NGOs such as Concern Worldwide to socioeconomic development in health, nutrition, education and poverty eradication. The Kenya Irish Society plays a key role through cultural events, philanthropic activities and community outreach.

Bilateral relations were established in 1979 and nurtured with the establishment of Kenya’s embassy in Dublin in 2007 and the reopening of the Irish Embassy in Nairobi in 2014. For official details, visit Kenya Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

On education, Ireland’s support for the Young Scientists Kenya Programme has enriched thousands of students. The nations worked side by side in multilateral fora, including joint tenure on the United Nations Security Council in 2021 and 2022, advancing peace, human dignity and the Sustainable Development Goals.

“We are keen on strengthening collaboration in the multilateral sphere, especially in the context of uncertainties in the current global order. As we commemorate Ireland’s National Day, Kenya reaffirms its commitment to deepening friendship and cooperation with Ireland for the benefit of our two friendly nations and the well-being of our peoples,” Mudavadi said.

This labour mobility initiative promises to create opportunities for Kenyan healthcare workers while reinforcing the longstanding friendship.