On December 3, 2024, H.E. Amb. Hon. Kubai Iringo paid a courtesy call on Mr. Yusuf Mohamed Adan, the Minister for Labour and Social Affairs of the Federal Republic of Somalia. At the heart of the discussion was a shared recognition of the increasing number of Kenyans employed across various sectors of the Somali economy — including hospitality, construction, healthcare, education, ICT, logistics, and the beauty industry.
This trend reflects the deepening interdependence between Kenya and Somalia, particularly in human capital flows. The two leaders agreed on the urgent need to craft a formalized bilateral labour framework that protects the rights of Kenyan workers, sets clear standards for recruitment and remuneration, and provides dispute resolution mechanisms.
This conversation comes at a time when Somalia’s private sector is undergoing significant expansion, particularly in urban centers like Mogadishu, Kismayo, and Hargeisa. Kenyan professionals, known for their technical expertise and service orientation, are playing a critical role in filling skill gaps and transferring knowledge. A structured labour agreement would not only offer legal safeguards for this growing diaspora but also open the door for more strategic labour export initiatives between the two nations.
