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390 Homa Bay youths fail German exams, lose chance to work in Europe
Some of the students undertaking German lesson at Tom Mboya University in Homa Bay Town on March 31, 2025.
At least 390 learners who were registered to undertake German language lessons at Tom Mboya University in Homa Bay have dropped out of the programme after they failed in exams.
The fully sponsored programme seeks to equip Kenyan youths with proficiency in the German language to enable them secure work in European countries such as Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg and Belgium.
By failing in the exams, the youngsters have a narrow chance of travelling to Europe.
Up to 1,100 learners were registered to undertake lessons in Homa Bay from mid last year.
This was after President William Ruto secured a deal with Germany allowing Kenyans to work in European countries.
The Head of State had signed an agreement with the German government seeking to help the European country fill up the gaps in its labour force.
Other higher learning institutions offering the same lesson are Kenyatta University, Masinde Muliro University and University of Eldoret.
According to Mr Peter Hauch, a German language examiner, up to 450,000 skilled personnel are needed to work in Germany, Austria and Switzerland every year.
“The economy of German speaking countries depends on the workforce provided by skilled young workers from all over the world,” he said.
Kenya was selected as one of the counties that could export labour and one of the qualifications to benefit from the deal was for the prospective workers to have the ability to speak fluent German, a requirement which is proving to be a tall order for some of the youths in Homa Bay.
“We are in the final stages of the entire course. All learners must therefore give their very best,” Mr Hauch said.
Mr Gordon Opiyo, a German training partner at Tom Mboya University said the aim of the programme is to have as many youths as possible to travel to Europe and work there.
During training, learners are subjected to several exams as they advance from one stage of the lesson to the next. The tests include A1, A 2, B1 and B2.
Mr Opiyo said out of the 1100 students who registered in the programme and did A1 and A 2 exams, only 710 passed and proceeded to the next level while the rest dropped out.
"We expect the learners to proceed and pass the next exams. This will give them an opportunity to work in Germany," he said.
A second chance
Learners who fail have an opportunity to repeat the lessons before undertaking the test. However, some of them decided to stop attending classes after failing.
Mr Opiyo said that normally the learners wait for four months before resitting the exams.
He however said that the programme has special arrangements where those who fail can do another exam within a month.
"This is meant to help them complete the process faster and have better pass rates. Those who fail the exams cannot travel to Germany," Mr Opiyo said.
He explained that some of the learners who suspended lessons got employment opportunities elsewhere and could not continue with lessons while others did not understand what it takes to learn a foreign language after losing interest.
The remaining students, should they all proceed with the lessons, are expected to do their final exams which will determine who will travel to Europe later this year.
Mr Hauch said his organisation examines people who intend to work in German-speaking countries in Europe to help embassies in visa processing.
"Learning German is a difficult process. Whoever learns the language can have a bright future in German speaking countries in Europe," he said.
He said learners need to have a pass rate of at least 70 percent to qualify to go to Europe.
Some of the learners who learn German at Tom Mboya said they are confident that they will pass the exams and travel to Europe.
Jemima Orwa said her colleagues use the internet and social media to perfect their mastery of the German language.
"We also sit in groups after class or look for other materials to learn more. Mastery of the language requires a lot of practice," she said.
Bill Owuor said he expects to remit funds to Kenya should he qualify to work in Europe.
Last month, the learners were introduced to soft skill lessons including financial literacy.
Some of the skills they are acquiring are meant to enable them to adapt well when moving to a new country.
In financial management, the students are required to learn the value of remitting money back to the country when they are working in Germany.
20X Entrepreneur Chief Executive Officer Eunice Mburu said her organisation helps small and medium size enterprises and young people to accelerate their growth.
She said Kenyans who work in foreign countries should learn the value of remittance.
According to Ms Mburu, there are counties that have their citizens working in other counties and support their nation's economy by sending back money.
She described the German opportunity as one that will change the lives of many people.
“We have trained them on how to manage their money because they're going to make money. It should become an investment and not a source of their destruction,” Mr Mburu said.
