President William Ruto is set to depart for Germany today for an official visit that will see him witness the signing of a Bilateral Labor Agreement ending months of negotiations between the two nations.
Kenya and Germany initiated the talks aimed at fostering labor mobility in March this year.
This will be the third time the president is visiting the country, his last tour being in November last year.
His first trip in March of the same year saw him hold talks with Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Chancellor Olaf Scholz on strengthening social and economic ties between the two nations.
Germany has agreed to open doors to 250,000 professional, skilled and semi-skilled Kenyans in an effort to meet its huge labor requirements.
This agreement is anticipated to streamline and regulate the movement of workers, marking a significant step in their bilateral relations.
The second round of technical negotiations for the Migration and Mobility Partnership Agreement between the two countries was concluded in Nairobi in May.
A technical committee comprising representatives from both governments was constituted and directed to immediately initiate the development of a labour mobility framework.
State House spokesperson Hussein Mohamed said Thursday that during the two-day visit, Ruto will also will engage in several high-profile meetings “expected to yield real, tangible and immediate benefits to the people of Kenya.”
“This visit not only reaffirms the strong ties between Kenya and Germany but also opens new avenues for cooperation that will benefit the people of both nations,” he said.
He pointed out that this marks a significant milestone in the long-standing relations between Kenya and Germany spanning over 60 years and is aimed at strengthening cultural, economic, and diplomatic ties.
Ruto will also attend and address this year’s prestigious Citizen’s Festival, themed “Pamoja – Stronger Together.”
According to Hussein, Kenya has been honoured as the profile partner country, making it the first time a non-European country has been selected to partner with Germany for the festival.
“This partnership offers a unique platform to showcase Kenya’s rich cultural heritage to the German public,” he said.
Cultural exchange has been the cornerstone of our connection, with institutions like the Goethe-Institut in Nairobi playing a crucial role in promoting German culture in Kenya since 1963.
The head of state is also expected to hold bilateral discussions with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
The talks, he noted, will focus on deepening cooperation on areas of mutual interest including green energy and climate action; digital cooperation; trade and investment; skills development and labour; and regional and international peace and security.
