The Government of Kenya has signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with UK-based recruitment agency HOPS Labour Solutions Limited. The agreement, spearheaded by the State Department for Diaspora Affairs, will enable Kenyan students and recent graduates in the agriculture and horticulture sectors to secure short-term employment under the United Kingdom’s Seasonal Workers Scheme (SWS).
Signed in London, the MoU marks a significant step toward addressing youth unemployment in Kenya while helping to fill critical labour shortages in the UK’s agriculture sector. The Principal Secretary for Diaspora Affairs, Roseline Njogu, hailed the agreement as a “historic milestone” and a timely initiative that will open up ethical and meaningful employment avenues for Kenyan youth.
“This MoU reaffirms our commitment to equipping young Kenyans with the skills and experience needed to compete in the global market,” said Njogu. “It also strengthens our agricultural sector by enabling students to return with valuable international expertise.”
One of the core highlights of the agreement is the assurance that participants will not incur recruitment or placement fees, a move aimed at protecting them from exploitation and unethical labour practices. The government emphasized its zero-tolerance policy on such practices and praised HOPS Labour Solutions for its ethical standards and compliance with both UK and Kenyan labour laws.
Licensed by the UK’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), HOPS Labour Solutions brings credibility and reliability to the partnership, which is also expected to promote cultural and professional exchange between the two nations.
“This partnership lays the groundwork for expanded labour mobility and future cooperation across other sectors, marking the beginning of a long-term, mutually beneficial relationship,” Njogu added.
The MoU is the second of its kind in recent weeks, reflecting a growing commitment by the Kenyan government to secure valuable global employment opportunities for its youth. Officials from both nations expressed optimism about the initiative’s potential to empower young people, enhance agricultural development, and strengthen Kenya-UK bilateral relations.
