President William Ruto says talks with Iraq’s prime minister covered labour mobility and wider cooperation, but no job numbers or recruitment agreement were announced.
Kenya and Iraq are exploring opportunities for Kenyan educators to work in Iraq as the two governments seek to broaden cooperation in education, trade, investment and skills development.
President William Ruto said he discussed labour mobility with Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi during a meeting on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The discussions placed opportunities for Kenyan educators among the priorities for closer engagement between the two countries.
However, the leaders did not announce a specific employment agreement or the number of positions that could become available. The proposed opportunities remain part of discussions on opening new pathways for skilled Kenyan professionals.
Educators feature in labour mobility discussions
Ruto said the meeting examined ways to increase the movement of skilled workers between Kenya and Iraq, with particular attention to Kenyan educators. He presented the initiative as a means of creating professional opportunities while strengthening connections between the people of both countries.
Education and human capital development formed part of a broader agenda that also covered ICT and cultural exchanges. The discussions linked potential employment opportunities with efforts to expand cooperation beyond traditional trade and diplomatic relations.
The engagement fits within Kenya’s wider push to use economic diplomacy to create overseas opportunities for its professionals. Labour mobility, education and skills partnerships have increasingly featured in the country’s bilateral discussions with foreign governments.
Energy and investment also on the agenda
Ruto said trade, investment, energy, oil and natural gas were also discussed during the meeting. These sectors offer additional areas for commercial cooperation alongside the proposed expansion of professional exchanges.
Iraq is a major global oil producer and has some of the world’s largest proven crude oil reserves. Its energy industry is therefore a potential area for deeper economic engagement with Kenya.
The talks took place as Iraq seeks wider international economic partnerships and investment in its energy sector. The Iraqi prime minister’s office said Al-Zaidi also held separate meetings with international energy companies during the UN gathering, focusing on oil exploration and development.
Building on earlier bilateral engagement
Kenya and Iraq have previously identified oil and gas, security, education and economic cooperation as fields where they could strengthen relations.
In 2024, Kenya’s National Assembly said the two countries were pursuing closer parliamentary and bilateral ties. Iraq’s ambassador at the time highlighted the country’s oil and gas industry as a sector in which Kenya could benefit through cooperation and investment.
Ruto characterised the relationship as longstanding and friendly, saying both governments wanted to deepen ties and create opportunities for their citizens and economies. For Kenyan educators, the latest meeting signals diplomatic interest in potential employment pathways rather than an announced recruitment programme.
