Israel recruits 1,500 Kenyan workers, says Tanzania and Uganda next
The announcement comes shortly after Malawi sent more than 200 young people to work on Israeli farms, which have been left short-staffed due to the ongoing war in Gaza
Kenya is exporting 1,500 farm workers to Israel, the labour ministry said on Wednesday. The announcement comes shortly after Malawi sent more than 200 young people to work on Israeli farms, which have been left short-staffed due to the ongoing war in Gaza, with plans to send up to 5,000 Malawian workers.
Many Israeli farmhands have joined the army, while an estimated 10,000 migrant workers have fled since the conflict began. They did not want to work in a war zone. Palestinians from Gaza, who previously made up nearly 20% of the agricultural workforce, have been barred from working on the farms.
Despite the risks, Noah Wekesa – currently working as a boda boda driver in Nairobi – said that he would take the opportunity if he could. “I will die once, either in Kenya or Israel.” A colleague, who is considering applying, said that he is already risking his life by riding motorcycles for a living, for considerably less financial reward.
Opposition leader Raila Odinga slammed the deal, saying that it showed that President William Ruto’s economic policies were failing to provide jobs at home for Kenyan people. “Once upon a time, Kenyans were so proud and so confident of their nation that they refused to seek jobs abroad, including with the United Nations,” he said. “Today, our people are scrambling to leave the country.”
Israel’s ambassador to Kenya, Michael Lotem, said that Israel is actively recruiting more farmworkers from Tanzania and is targeting Uganda next, according to the BBC.