Kenya has sealed a major international labour deal that will see hundreds of skilled workers secure jobs across the United Kingdom’s Crown dependencies, including Jersey, Guernsey, and the Isle of Man.
The partnership, formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Kenyan officials and GR8, a Channel Islands-based recruitment firm, aims to fill labour gaps in hospitality, construction, health care, childcare, and other key industries.
The agreement was signed in Jersey by GR8 CEO Lee Madden and Kenya’s State Department for Diaspora Affairs Principal Secretary, Roseline Njogu, during her official visit to the island.
The deal officially makes GR8 a strategic partner in sourcing Kenyan talent for employers across the dependencies.
“We are inviting good employers to recruit from Kenya. Our workforce is rich in IT, engineering, education, and healthcare expertise,” said Njogu, adding that the deal reflects Kenya’s commitment to facilitating safe, dignified migration for its citizens.
Kenyan politicians and senior officials accompanying Njogu will meet Jersey’s Minister for External Relations Ian Gorst, as well as other industry leaders, to explore expanded collaboration.
GR8 has already brought hundreds of Kenyan workers to the islands over the last five years, especially in hospitality—a sector that was severely impacted post-Brexit. According to Madden, these workers were “instrumental in solving the recruitment crisis three to four years ago.”
Minister for Sustainable Economic Development Kirsten Morel welcomed the deal, saying it would “ensure Jersey remains attractive for skilled international workers.”
The move is seen as a win-win: Kenya boosts diaspora employment and remittances, while the Crown dependencies gain access to a pool of qualified, English-speaking professionals.
