‘I would like to come and live and work in Kenya, perhaps even as an au pair, for example in voluntary work. Is this possible?’
This is one of the questions our readers ask us and one that has come back into vogue, probably driven by this period of prolonged uncertainty and the awareness that life in Italy is increasingly difficult and unreal.

Well, we would like to offer comfort and optimism to those who often approach this dream in good faith, perhaps reinforced by previous visits to this country and its places that inspire freedom, relaxation, the desire to live in a more human dimension and perhaps even do some good.
However, we must realistically warn enthusiasts who have no idea how to approach a new life, including work, in this country and ask us for guidance.

There are those who have a small income, a minimum pension or something similar and admit that it would be enough for them to have board and lodging in the African country, where life seems easier and within reach of their dreams.
Unfortunately, even a situation that might seem convenient for both those looking for employment and those who might be interested in “Western” help is not so simple.

In fact, we should remember that in order to work in Kenya, at all levels, you need a work permit, which is very different from a normal tourist permit (which Kenya currently accepts as a holiday stay for three months, extendable for another three, but Italy does not approve, prohibiting tourist travel to Africa). There are different types of work permits: first and foremost, the entrepreneur's permit, which requires an investment of at least €80,000 and entitles the holder to a residence and work visa valid for two years and renewable on condition that their company complies economically and fiscally with the conditions established at the time of formation. The permit costs around €1,800 per year (500,000 shillings for two years).

Then there is an employee permit, which is increasingly difficult to obtain because, firstly, it costs around €7,000 and is valid for two years and, secondly, the person must be hired by a local company and must have important qualifications that cannot be fulfilled by a Kenyan. Therefore, professionals who can prove their competence will be hired for this reason.
It is therefore difficult to find a company willing to bear the cost of a very expensive work permit to hire a professional who can be found, or trained, in Kenya and who will accept a much lower salary than a European citizen would demand.

As for the voluntary sector, here the permit (which must be requested by a non-profit organisation or NGO) costs much less, but it is difficult to obtain unless there are recognised associations in Kenya that have been working in the country for some time. But in this case, it is the associations themselves that request professionals with expertise in cooperation or voluntary work.

So for a “newbie” who dreams of moving to Kenya, the most logical route is to start their own business or to have enough experience and professionalism to be able to find work and be hired with a regular permit. For everyone else, there is also the possibility of obtaining a residence permit as a “pensioner” or for those who have a fixed income in Italy. This permit lasts three years and costs €5,000, but you must prove an annual income of around €20,000 through a bank guarantee or monthly transfers to a Kenyan bank account. Above all, it is a permit to reside in Kenya, not to work there.