The Germany-Kenya deal; or the empty promise of 250,000 jobs

Kenya's President William Ruto holds a joint press briefing with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin, Germany on September 13, 2024. 

Photo credit: PCS

It has been a tumultuous year for German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and the officials engaged in President William Ruto’s manpower export adventure that gave millions of jobless Kenyans false hope.

In March 2023, President Ruto made a two-day visit to Germany. During an interview with Deutsche Welle, Ruto expressed surprise that 250,000 job vacancies remained unfilled in Germany, yet Kenya had unmatched skilled manpower in every profession.