PS NJOGU REPRESENTS KENYA AT THE GLOBAL AGING NETWORK CONFERENCE 2025
The State Department for Diaspora Affairs’ Principal Secretary, Ms. Roseline K Njogu, represented Kenya at the Global Ageing Network Conference in Boston, Massachusetts.
The Global Ageing Network Conference is a leading international forum that convenes leaders, innovators, and experts committed to enhancing the quality of life and care for the aging population.
The conference centers on exchanging best practices, exploring emerging technologies, and forging collaborative networks to tackle the challenges and prospects presented by a globally expanding ageing demographic.
The PS featured as a speaker on a panel examining international solutions to the global shortfall of aged care workers, where she advocated for Kenya’s skilled and talented youth.
The event, which attracted more than 7,000 ageing services professionals from over 20 countries to the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center, showcased innovative partnerships designed to fill workforce gaps, particularly within the United States.
Titled “International Perspectives: Creating Pipelines for Foreign-Born Workers,” the panel explored strategic partnerships that foster sustainable engagements by identifying opportunities in geriatric care and constructing strong, mutually beneficial labor pipelines.
PS Njogu’s involvement occurs at a critical juncture, as countries worldwide contend with the difficulties of rapidly ageing populations, which are escalating the need for skilled care.
The PS described how Kenya’s strategic method for labour mobility corresponds with global demands. She elaborated on Kenya’s unique demographics, notably its substantial, youthful, skilled, and talented populace.
The PS further explained that the Government of Kenya’s strategy for youth engagement is a three-pronged approach: generating “Kazi kwa ground”—local jobs; promoting “Kazi Mtandaoni”—online jobs; and facilitating “Kazi Majuu”—jobs abroad.
Through a whole-of-Government approach, PS Njogu stated the objective is to safeguard Kenyans pursuing opportunities overseas and to position its skilled, energetic workforce to satisfy international needs.
She highlighted the partnership with Minnesota in the aged care sector as a prime illustration of how ethical pathways can be established for Kenyan healthcare professionals to build rewarding careers while solving a critical shortage in another nation. The PS described this as a win-win model focused on skills and knowledge transfer through ‘brain sharing,’ rather than ‘brain drain.’
The Principal Secretary detailed the government’s function in labour mobility, which involves establishing supportive policies, regulating the sector against exploitation, protecting Kenyan workers abroad, and enabling skills-based international placements that serve both the individual and country.
Other speakers on the panel included Ms. Ann Mowry, Director of Workforce Solutions at LeadingAge Minnesota; Hon. Mohamud Noor, Representative from the Minnesota State House of Representatives; Ms. Kathleen Murray, Director of Organizational Learning and Development for International Recruitment at Benedictine Health System; and Ms. Traci Larson, CEO/President of Guardian Angel Services and Partner of Global Care Recruiters.
