In a controlled arrangement, Germany welcomes Kenyan laborers, allowing for structured migration.
The contract was sealed by Chancellor Olaf Scholz of Germany and Kenya's President William Ruto on a Friday. Ruto touched down in Germany on that particular Friday for a planned, two-day official trip.
Although the specific number of laborers set to move to Germany hasn't been revealed yet, a representative from Kenya's presidential office previously mentioned exploring job prospects for approximately 250,000 Kenyans.
Migration is a contentious issue in Germany, and it has given rise to the populist Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. Germany welcomed more than a million individuals during the refugee crisis of 2015-2016, and more recently, it accepted large numbers of Ukrainians escaping Russia's invasion.
This agreement is being forged as Scholz's administration cracks down on unlawful immigration, recently disclosing stricter border controls. The previous month, Berlin announced new security measures aimed at expediting the removal of asylum seekers with rejected claims and those without valid documentation, with the initiative scheduled to commence the following week.
Besides deterring illegal immigration, this agreement aims to meet labor market demands in both countries, offering opportunities for Kenyan workers while filling Germany's shortage of skilled laborers. The agreement also intends to streamline the return of Kenyans illegally residing in Germany.
The two nations agreed to strengthen their cooperation on repatriation, including implementing measures such as utilizing biometric data to identify individuals needing to leave Germany.
Expired passports and identity cards will now serve as valid travel documents, aiding the repatriation process.
As per German authorities, there are approximately 14,800 Kenyan citizens currently residing in Germany. Around 800 of them are required to depart the country.
Interior Minister Nancy Faeser expressed her satisfaction with the results, stating, "We are committed to consistently enforcing the deportation of individuals without the right to remain - this is a significant stride towards limiting irregular migration. We have successfully negotiated on this matter."
"However, we are also eager to bring in qualified workers, who are instrumental in various sectors of our economy," she added.
The German Interior Ministry also divulged that it is involved in confidential discussions with numerous other countries regarding migration agreements.
The advanced security plan was initiated in response to an incident in the western city of Solingen, where three people were fatally stabbed on August 23.
The assailant was identified as a 26-year-old Syrian man with alleged ties to ISIS, who had previously been scheduled for deportation.
This collaboration between Germany and Kenya could potentially shape Europe's labor market, as Germany seeks to address its skilled labor shortage. The agreement also aims to facilitate the return of Kenyans residing in Germany illegally, reflecting the world's ongoing conversation about migration and border control.
