UK Prime Minister expected in Kenya for State visit
United Kingdom (UK) Prime Minister Keir Starmer is set to visit Kenya. The anticipated state visit is expected to pave the way for the renewal of the Joint Security Compact between Kenya and the United Kingdom.
Principal Secretary for Internal Security and National Administration, Raymond Omollo, on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, confirmed meeting with the UK High Commissioner to Kenya, Neil Wigan, to prepare for Starmer’s visit.
Omollo disclosed that during the high-profile meeting, they discussed key areas of mutual interest under the UK-Kenya Security Compact, with a focus on cybersecurity collaboration and police reforms.
“In preparation for the UK Prime Minister’s official visit to Kenya, I met with the UK High Commissioner to Kenya, H.E. Neil Wigan, to discuss key areas of security cooperation,” Omollo said.
“Our engagement centred on enhancing cybersecurity collaboration and supporting ongoing police reforms, both critical pillars of the UK-Kenya Security Compact.”
Though the official dates for the prime minister’s visit are yet to be announced, diplomatic sources indicate that preparations are well underway, with both sides eager to reaffirm their partnership.
The United Kingdom remains a vital partner for Kenya, with ongoing collaboration on security, capacity building, and regional peace efforts.
/X
Ban on care workers’ jobs
Starmer’s planned visit to Kenya also comes at a time when the UK government announced the closure of its overseas recruitment route for social care workers, a move that is expected to impact many Kenyans seeking employment opportunities in the UK.
In a statement on Monday, May 12, 2025, the UK announced that all immigrants seeking to join the social care workers sector would not be allowed.
The new order is part of its newly published Immigration White Paper. The paper sets out reforms to prioritise high-skilled migrants and reduce dependence on international recruitment.
The new measures include tougher graduate and worker standards and new obligations on employers to invest in domestic training, part of efforts to reverse a surge in net migration.
“The white paper sets out the government’s plans to create an immigration system which promotes growth but is controlled and managed,” it read in part.
The new policy will not only affect Kenyans seeking care worker jobs in the UK but also expand to other sectors. According to the published immigration white paper, access to the points-based immigration system will be limited to occupations where there have been long-term shortages.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s administration is also strengthening the requirements that all sponsoring institutions must meet to recruit international students.
Additionally, the UK is further tightening its rules on the English language, which would push to ensure that those travelling to the UK have an appropriate level of English language skills, to be able to effectively integrate into local communities.
