More than 3,000 Kenyan bus drivers are set to benefit from job opportunities in Germany, following successful bilateral talks aimed at addressing the European nation’s labor shortage. According to Stella Mokaya, the Kenyan Ambassador to Germany, this initiative marks a significant step in the partnership between Kenya and Germany, which spans various sectors, including transport, energy, and education. The agreement is the result of Mokaya’s collaboration with Rose Wanja, the local representative of Skillution Germany, a German recruitment agency.
Germany, facing a shortage of workers in several sectors, has turned to foreign labor to fill the gap. Paul Hemkentokrax, Managing Director of Aktiv Bus Flensburg, emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating that Germany is short of 400,000 workers annually, which represents 0.9 percent of the country’s 46 million-strong workforce. Hemkentokrax noted that if this trend continues, the shortage could reach 9 percent in the next decade. Against this backdrop, the recruitment of Kenyan bus drivers is a welcome development for both countries, with Germany benefiting from the influx of skilled labor and Kenya gaining employment opportunities for its citizens.
The initiative has already seen four Kenyan drivers—two men and two women—secure positions with Aktiv Bus Flensburg. Ambassador Mokaya expressed optimism about the skills and professionalism the Kenyan drivers will bring to their new roles in Germany, highlighting the importance of the partnership between the two nations. “Germany was the first country to recognize Kenya’s independence in 1963, laying a strong foundation for a partnership that has grown over the years to include cooperation in areas such as energy, trade, climate change, cultural exchange, education, and transport,” Mokaya remarked.
The employment program also includes a comprehensive training plan to ensure the Kenyan drivers meet German driving standards. Since Kenyan driving licenses are not recognized in Germany, the drivers must undergo additional training to familiarize themselves with German traffic laws. Wanja, the local representative of Skillution Germany, explained that the driving systems in Kenya and Germany differ significantly. “In Kenya, we drive on the left and overtake on the right, while in Germany, drivers operate on the right side of the road and overtake on the left. We had to arrange for instructors to train the Kenyan drivers in these rules to ensure their smooth transition to German roads,” she said.
This labor mobility partnership is seen as a step toward addressing mutual concerns between Kenya and Germany, particularly regarding skilled labor shortages in Germany. Mokaya hinted at a broader labor mobility agreement between the two countries, which is expected to come into effect soon. This agreement could open up further employment opportunities for Kenyans across various sectors, in addition to the bus driving roles already secured.
Wanja also highlighted the potential for expanding the scope of the partnership by offering German language and driving courses in Kenyan technical institutions. She suggested that Germany could sponsor such programs in Kenyan institutions like Kabete Polytechnic. This would not only prepare more Kenyans for employment in Germany but also contribute to minimizing Germany’s skilled labor shortage.
Moreover, Wanja proposed that Kenyan bus and car manufacturers consider producing left-hand drive vehicles, as this could make Kenyan drivers more marketable in countries like Germany, where vehicles are driven on the opposite side of the road compared to Kenya. “We need to liaise with local bus and car builders to ensure our drivers are well-equipped to meet the demands of the German job market,” she added.
As the first batch of Kenyan bus drivers prepares to begin their new roles in Germany, the initiative marks a promising chapter in the relationship between the two countries. Both Mokaya and Wanja expressed hope that this collaboration would pave the way for more such opportunities in the future, benefiting Kenyan workers and helping to address Germany’s labor challenges.
