The Kenyan government has signed a Letter of Intent with Athari Global, a diaspora-owned Canadian firm, to expand structured pathways for employment in Canada's healthcare sector. The initiative involves training Kenyans in disability support work and linking them with employers in Canada under the Muuguzi Majuu program. Principal Secretary Roseline Njogu stated that Athari currently has 30 Kenyan participants, with 19 already employed in Canada.
The Kenyan government, through the State Department of Diaspora Affairs, has signed a Letter of Intent with Athari Global to strengthen opportunities for healthcare workers from Kenya to work in Canada. The Muuguzi Majuu program, which started as a pilot two years ago, was designed to address global healthcare labor shortages while providing opportunities for Kenyan professionals. Over the past year, the pilot cohort has expanded, with participants advancing through training and recruitment stages.
Athari Global has created a specialized training program focused on disability support work, after which participants are connected with Canadian employers seeking skilled healthcare workers. According to the State Department of Diaspora Affairs, the new agreement aims to formalize and structure labor mobility pathways, ensuring better support for Kenyans pursuing careers in Canada's healthcare system.
"The letter of intent signed with Athari Global will create structured pathways for healthcare labour mobility, supporting Kenyans seeking work in Canada’s health sector," Njogu stated.
The government will monitor the progress of the participants, informally called “Atharites,” and share updates through official channels. This initiative is part of Kenya’s broader strategy to use labor mobility for economic development, remittance growth, and skills transfer. Officials expressed optimism that the partnership will broaden opportunities for Kenyan healthcare workers while enhancing bilateral cooperation with Canada on workforce development.
The Athari Global agreement follows recent discussions between Kenya and Germany on labor mobility, aiming to match Kenya's skilled professionals with Germany's labor market needs. These efforts by the State Department for Diaspora Affairs seek to position and market Kenya's highly trained talent in key sectors such as healthcare, ICT, engineering, hospitality, and technical trades.
