Igad report blames living standards for Kenya brain drain

The growing gap in living standards between Kenya and the developed countries and weakening economic standards are the main reasons Kenyans relocate to other countries, a new report has shown.

The report launched Monday in Nairobi by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (Igad) said that popular African destinations for such emigrants are Botswana, Namibia and South Africa.

The Middle East, the United States of America, Canada, the United Kingdom and other European countries are also favourite locations.

The document titled Migration and Human Security in the East and Southern Africa Region revealed that, with the exception of those moving to the Middle East, the emigrants consist of people with professional, technical and business skills.

“Clearly, this is a huge human resource loss to the country, though a blessing in disguise in the face of growing unemployment affecting the kinds if emigrants mentioned,” the report read in part.

The report forms part of the Migration Knowledge Series prepared by Igad which aims to highlight the mechanisms and gaps in the migration sector in the region.

Speaking during the presentation, Igad Executive Secretary Mahboub Maalim described the Igad region as a source, transit and destination for immigrants.

He said the region has a number of pastoralists’ communities and displaced people who are forced to move from location to location.

“This report will not only inform policy makers in the region to make right decisions but also it will provide literature for researchers,” Mr Maalim said.