Unintended Skilled Labor Export Becomes Kenya’s Important Forex Source

Abstract

Annually, Kenya experiences two significant occurrences between July to October. However, only one is manifest; the Great Masai Mara migration. The marvel has over 1.5 million wildebeests, 40,000 zebras, 12,000 elands, and 300,000 Grant's and Thomson's gazelles make the treacherous journey from southern Serengeti to the Masai Mara and back. Similar migration, but without much furor, is the emigration of trained Kenyan students and skilled workers to developed economies. The July-October movement mostly coincides with the start of the academic year of universities in the Global North. While the motivation for both migrations appears similar, the search for green nutrient-rich pasture, water, or economic opportunities, similarities end there. The cyclical phenomenon of the passage between Kenya and Tanzania rarely applies to the emigration of Kenyan students. Over 80% are retained and integrated by their host countries after the completion of their educational endeavors.