Kenya, US explore jobs for nurses and caregivers in Minnesota

Kenya is exploring job prospects for nurses and caregivers in the United States through potential collaborations with healthcare facilities in Minnesota, aimed at addressing the rising demand for medical professionals and elderly care workers. Kenya's Ambassador to the US, David Kerich, engaged in talks with officials from LeadingAge Minnesota, Global Care Recruiters, and Kenyan diaspora healthcare experts in Minneapolis as part of a mobile consular services outreach effort.

The Kenya Embassy in Washington DC announced on X on October 11, 2026, that the discussions centered on harnessing Kenya's skilled nursing and caregiving workforce to meet Minnesota's increasing need for healthcare professionals, while also creating chances for decent employment, skill enhancement, and professional growth for Kenyans.

The talks delved into various cooperation aspects, such as the ethical hiring of Kenyan nurses and caregivers, professional license recognition, specialized elderly care training, and partnerships between healthcare providers in both nations.

The embassy also revealed intentions to broaden access to the US professional licensing exam, the NCLEX, via a testing center in Nairobi, which could aid Kenyan nurses aiming to work in the American healthcare system. Global Care Recruiters was represented by its Chief Executive Officer, Kari Thurlow, alongside other healthcare sector stakeholders. The meeting also delved into investment prospects in Kenya's healthcare education institutions and the creation of advanced elderly care facilities.

According to the embassy, the proposed cooperation aims to foster knowledge exchange and skill transfer while strengthening healthcare systems in both countries. The engagement also examined potential investment opportunities in Kenya's healthcare training institutions, the development of modern elderly care facilities, and structured partnerships that promote skill sharing, bolster healthcare systems, and deliver mutual advantages to both nations.

Ambassador Kerich acknowledged the significant contributions of Kenyans working in Minnesota's healthcare sector, lauding their professionalism, compassion, and unwavering dedication to supporting communities in the US and their home country. The discussions further examined the potential for formalizing cooperation with Kenya's State Department for Diaspora Affairs and extending similar labor mobility partnerships to other US states.

The embassy stated that the engagement was part of its wider efforts to strengthen Kenya-US relations through healthcare diplomacy, diaspora engagement, and mutually beneficial employment opportunities.