Huldah Momanyi-Hiltsley is exploring a healthcare recruitment partnership between Minnesota and Kenya.
State Representative Huldah Momanyi-Hiltsley leads healthcare providers in talks on potential jobs for Kenyan nurses and support for their immediate families.
Minnesota nurse recruitment discussions have brought State Representative Huldah Momanyi-Hiltsley and a delegation of healthcare providers to Kenya. They are exploring a partnership that could connect qualified Kenyan nurses with employers in the American state.
Momanyi-Hiltsley said the visit aims to advance talks with local stakeholders about potential employment opportunities. The proposed initiative would involve the Kenyan and Minnesota governments, alongside healthcare institutions interested in hiring nurses.
She described the effort as part of a broader economic and healthcare partnership. While her priority remains Minnesota residents, she said cooperation could benefit both sides.
Why Minnesota nurse recruitment is turning to Kenya
Momanyi-Hiltsley said Minnesota faces a healthcare workforce shortage, prompting institutions to consider international recruitment. Employers have recruited heavily from Asian countries, but Kenya’s nursing workforce has also attracted interest in recent years.
She pointed to Kenya’s youthful population, English-speaking workforce and nursing expertise as reasons to pursue discussions. The delegation therefore seeks direct engagement with stakeholders who could help connect qualified professionals with prospective employers.
In March 2026, the Minnesota House of Representatives projected a shortage exceeding 30,000 nurses by 2030. It expected retirements to outpace the number of nurses entering the profession.
Meanwhile, the US Bureau of Labour Statistics projects registered nurse employment will grow six per cent between 2025 and 2035. It also expects approximately 180,800 openings annually across the country.
Licensing requirements and family plans
Kenyan nurses pursuing US employment must meet professional licensing and immigration requirements. Foreign-trained applicants need a credentials evaluation report to establish whether their nursing education meets the relevant standards.
They must also satisfy Minnesota’s examination and licensing rules, including passing the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses. The Minnesota Board of Nursing sets English proficiency requirements, although exemptions apply in specified circumstances.
In addition, foreign healthcare workers pursuing employment-based immigration generally need healthcare worker certification, commonly known as VisaScreen. This process assesses their education, professional credentials and English proficiency.
Beyond employment, Momanyi-Hiltsley said the proposed programme would seek to accommodate successful recruits’ immediate families. The approach would therefore extend beyond placing individual nurses in healthcare jobs.
Momanyi-Hiltsley first won election in 2024, becoming the first legislator of Kenyan heritage in Minnesota’s legislature. Following her re-election, she expects to begin another two-year term in January 2027, representing District 38A.
