NTV-NEWS-UPDATE-GIF-HD
President Ruto defends export of labour
President William Ruto on Friday said a bilateral deal Kenya signed with Germany would not erode the skills needed to help industrialise the nation.
At a joint podium with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin, Dr Ruto fought back criticism the deal could lead to brain drain as masses of educated Kenyans leave the country.
The deal is known as Kenya-Germany Comprehensive Migration and Mobility Partnership Agreement.
Some German dispatches labelled it as an MoU for a pilot project on job placements.
It is meant to provide a framework for cooperation and information exchange on labour mobility, apprenticeship, student training, labour market needs, employment and welfare of workers, readmission, and return, according to a brochure shared with the media yesterday.
But the emerging question was whether it could lead to more educated people fleeing Kenya and leaving the country’s industrialisation targets in limbo.
Skills sets
“We have skills and have developed a huge human capital. As you may be aware, Kenya is a young country,” Ruto told the joint briefing.
“We have a huge young population that can satisfy our industrialisation agenda in Kenya and Germany. In fact, it will provide an avenue for us to tap into the skills in Germany.”
The agreement, President Ruto added, had been negotiated for a year “and focuses on all skills sets”.
He said it would ensure Kenyan training centres raise their standards to be at par with Germany’s, including twinning syllabuses and training Kenyans in German language.
The agreement, he said, would provide opportunities for at least 250 professional, skilled and semi-skilled Kenyans in fields like IT and engineering, to work in Germany.
During campaigns in 2022, Dr Ruto pledged to raise industrialisation in Kenya to at least 15 per cent of the GDP, from seven per cent.
Kenya, traditionally has relied on agriculture and the service industry to sustain its economy, now expected to grow by 5.2 per cent on average, according to the World Bank.
Yet it also promised to address a huge youth unemployment problem amid local scarce jobs, which may mean hunting for opportunities abroad. For that, Ruto’s government has taken flak for exporting labour, some semi-skilled.
In Germany, however, the deal addresses a different political problem: that of illegal migration. Part of the deal will ensure illegal Kenyans in Germany are returned to Nairobi and Kenya will ensure they don’t sneak back.
Germany had been one of the most accommodative western Europeans to migrants but has struggled to tame the irregular flow. Some 92,119 individuals illegally entered Germany between January and September of 2023, according to official figures. Others entered legally but overstayed. There is a group that entered legally, then applied for asylum which was denied but then vanished into the country to dodge deportation.
Officially, this deal is to provide “a win-win model for solving Germany’s labour conundrum occasioned by the retirement of the ‘baby boomer generation’ while offering decent remote jobs to restive but qualified, young Kenyan professionals, according to a dispatch.
“We are happy to export Kenyan talent expertise to support German industrialisation. There is also the opportunity that we can transfer some of your industries to Kenya so that we do not have to export the labour here,” Ruto said.
“This agreement gives us an opportunity to avoid illegal immigrants because illegal immigrants give us a problem to both Kenya and to Germany.”
Chancellor Olaf Scholz, backing the deal, has had to convince local politicians to support it. At the press conference, he said Germany needs skilled workers from Europe and many other places in the world, legally. The country has taken in some 6 million workers, a figure he said has saved Germany from “a very difficult situation” of an ageing workforce.
“Germany has the opportunity to evade that trap (facing western countries with an ageing workforce) while benefiting both countries,” he said.
That will continue, he said, but Germany wants “a clear reduction of irregular migration and better border management…by using this openness we can use this agreement to return people when it becomes necessary.”
Shows
See AllAM Live
AM Live is NTV's morning current affairs show that sets the agenda for the day with insightful panels every weekday.
Business Redefined
Business Redefined is Kenya’s premier thought leadership platform for unpacking matters regarding economic and finance policy as well demystifying complex developments in the region’s capital markets.
Comedies
A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula
Documentaries
A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula
Entertainment
A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula
Full Episodes
A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula
Gumzo La Sato
Gumzo La Sato is a live social issues show that aims to create awareness about issues affecting the larger society. The discussions range from Parenting, Marital bliss and struggles, Oppression, violence, and all matters of the Heart.
Health Diary
Health Diary is a weekly show that highlights different types of diseases/conditions and seeks ways to prevent, treat/manage them. The show debunks this through real life stories and also feature specialists in different fields, to offer medical advice on the same.
Letter To My Younger Self
Letter To My Younger Self is a podcast where guests get to write a letter to their younger self, from which Maxine formulates questions to ask them during the hour-long show.
Nation Reports
Nation Reports is a weekly podcast offers an opportunity for listeners to interact with various reporters and journey with them as they unravel the biggest most emotive stories.
One Health Lens Podcast
Discussing health matters and human stories from Kenya and across Africa. We talk big picture from people to policy, ecosystems, and everything in between. Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/onehealthlens
Paradise Lost
Paradise Lost peeks through the story of Louis Otieno, the times, and everything in between.
Primetime
A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula
Speaking of GEN Z
Speaking of Gen Z brings you entertaining but meaningful conversations about a generation that is trying to navigate through adulthood. Join hosts Michelle, Jackie and Esther as they unravel all things Gen Z.
Sport On
Sport-On is a 30-minute sports magazine show on NTV and 3 hours on NATION FM. The show seeks to give the sports “fanatics” and “funatics” comprehensive and in-depth coverage of sports both locally and internationally.
Tech-over
The extent of technological growth is beyond mere acknowledgment; it has seamlessly integrated into our daily existence. A few years ago, the notion of paying electricity bills through mobile money or recharging with 'tokens' in Kenya seemed inconceivable. Online product sales were considered distant, and artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping various facets of our lives. Amidst these technological leaps, those with a solid understanding of tech can navigate challenges, seize opportunities, and build a sustainable livelihood. Tech over Show aims to be the platform facilitating discussions among thought leaders, innovators, tech companies, and the government, addressing challenges and opportunities in Kenya's thriving tech industry.
Thamani
Thamani is a business show which is dedicated to emerging issues regarding micro, small and medium size businesses.
The Politalk podcast
This is The Politalk podcast. Here we look into the ins and outs of everything Kenyan politics. We pull no punches and have no reason to sugarcoat anything that matters to Kenyans.
The Trend
A two-hour-long live show that airs on Fridays. The show focuses on what is current in the entertainment industry, controversial and popular across all media platforms targeting those aged between 25 and 35 years.
The trend podcast
The trend podcast highlights and captures the best of banter from #TTTT segment that airs every Friday on NTV. It's the TTTT EXTRA
The Wicked Edition
The Wicked Edition with Dr. King’ori seeks to address serious issues through humour and relatable wit. It is a two-part half hour show filmed in front of a live audience
Trending
A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula
Twende
Twende is a travel show that highlights beautiful, unique, diverse locations, people, and cultures. The show offers fresh perspectives on familiar locations and memorable experiences in new ones.
Unscripted
This Saturday evening lifestyle show lets viewers share their stories and life experiences as openly & honestly for the purpose of shifting the culture of silence.
VIP Access
VIP ACCESS is Anyiko Owoko’s YouTube and podcast show on Music and Culture dedicated to promoting Africa’s most promising talent and creatives. This podcast grants you VIP access into timeless interviews while providing a platform for rising as well as established artists across the continent. Since launching in 2018, Anyiko has interviewed over 70 African music stars.
WADR
This weekly news show aims to have all sides of debate but not be constrained by it, listen to main voices in the contest but not allow them to hold the viewers hostage, entertain debate but allow push back with all due respect.
When death do us part
In this podcast, three widowers openly speak about the process of grief, how they found themselves exposed to the emotional turmoil of losing their wives, and how society still does not know how to deal with them.
Your World
Your World is a health, wellness and variety show. It provides a platform for audiences and experts to share their experiences on how to improve or manage health issues, across Kenya and the Africa region.