JERSY, UK – Kenya has signed a strategic labour export deal with a top recruitment firm in the Channel Islands, paving the way for hundreds of skilled workers to be placed in jobs across the three UK Crown dependencies — Jersey, Guernsey, and the Isle of Man.
The agreement, sealed between Kenya’s State Department for Diaspora Affairs and GR8, a recruitment agency based in Jersey, is expected to ease labour shortages in hospitality, healthcare, construction, and childcare sectors.
Roseline Njogu, Kenya’s Diaspora Affairs Principal Secretary, signed the memorandum of understanding (MoU) with GR8 CEO Lee Madden during an official ceremony in Jersey. Njogu is leading a high-level Kenyan delegation visiting the island to deepen economic ties and create more job opportunities for Kenyans abroad.
“This is about opening up more doors for Kenya’s skilled workforce — from health and IT to education and engineering,” said Njogu. “We’re inviting responsible employers to tap into Kenya’s growing talent pool.”
GR8 has already built a strong track record in recruiting Kenyan professionals to Jersey and Guernsey over the past five years, with Madden crediting Kenyan hospitality workers for helping the islands navigate a severe labour crunch in the post-Brexit era.
The latest agreement officially recognises GR8 as a strategic partner of the Kenyan government for recruitment into the Crown dependencies.
“This partnership gives us a unique mandate to represent Kenya in sourcing talent, and it’s a game changer for industries struggling to hire,” said Madden.
Jersey’s Minister for Sustainable Economic Development, Kirsten Morel, welcomed the deal, saying it will help ensure that Jersey remains a “welcoming place for overseas skilled workers.”
During their official visit, the Kenyan delegation is also expected to meet Jersey’s Minister for External Relations Ian Gorst, as well as business leaders from Highlands College, the Jersey Chamber of Commerce, and the Jersey Construction Council.
GR8 says “hundreds” of Kenyans have already secured jobs through their programmes — a number expected to rise sharply with the formalisation of this new labour mobility pact.
