Africa's Got Brains: Brain Drain Part 2

I will halt my talk with the professor to explain what brain drain is and its causes.

Brain drain, also referred to as human capital flight, is the migration of people, usually individuals with technical skills and expertise (such as medical practitioners, engineers, scientists or financial professionals) from one country or part of a country to another.

The Scientific and Industrial Research and Development Centre (SIRDC) classifies brain drain into 3groups[1]:

·         a) Primary external brain drain

This occurs when trained and skilled individuals leave their countries to work in developed countries

·          b)Secondary external brain drain

This happens when trained and skilled human resources leave a less developed country to work in another less developed country.

·         c)Internal brain drain

Happens when trained and skilled individuals cannot find employment in their area of their expertise in their own country, or when such individuals migrate from the public sector to the private sector or within a sector of a particular country. In this entry, brain drain will refer to the first two categories.

Brain drain is commonest in developing nations—mostly Africa, the Caribbean and Eastern European countries. The World Bank Group estimates that over 70,000 trained and skilled Africans leave their home countries every year to work in developed nations[2].

There are no Kenyan-specific brain drain statistics. However, it is estimated every year, more than 30,000 Kenyans leave for higher studies overseas—mostly to the US, UK and Australia. Of these, less than 9,000 return home after finishing their studies. Government statistics reveal that over a million professionals live and work abroad, making Kenya one of the most seriously drained country  in Africa.

Causes of brain-drain in Kenya 

a) Low Salaries and bad Working Conditions:

Personally, I think that this is one of the chief causes of brain-drain in Kenya. Most developing countries have low remuneration rates and the poorest working conditions. The health sector in Kenya is a case in point. Over the past decade, there have been numerous doctor and nurses strikes. These health professionals usually complain of bad pay, poor working conditions, inadequate/low medical supplies and equipment. A medical doctor revealed that they had better equipment at med school—for training than what is provided at the major hospitals.

b)      Further studies

As earlier noted, many individuals leave Kenya for further studies abroad but do not return. They opt to stay in their host countries. In the past decade however, the Education system has improved, with more universities and colleges being built and well equipped. Career choice has also improved with many universities providing courses usually provided abroad.

c)      Unemployment

Despite substantial economic growth and development in Kenya in the past two decades, unemployment rates are still high. Young professionals therefore look for employment elsewhere. Tanzania, South Sudan and Rwanda have witnessed an influx of young Kenyans looking for jobs as business people, teachers and humanitarian aid workers. The US and UK are a favourite destination for Kenyans due to availability of odd jobs there.

d)      Political Instability:

This has not been a major cause of brain drain in Kenya—maybe for war-torn countries such as Somalia and South Sudan. However, in the past, some great brains such as writer Ngugi wa Thiong’o , activist Koigi wa Mwere had to leave the country due to a bad political climate. Additionally, The 2007/2008 post-election violence saw an increase in visa application.

---

[1] Adapted from Scientific and Industrial Research and Development Center (SIRDC), “An Analysis of the Cause and Effect of the Brain Drain in Zimbab-we,”www.queensu.ca/,July 31, 2008

[2] See Allen, Ahkiah, “Medical Migration Drains Africa,”

Washington Week ,www.pbs.org/weta/washingtonweek/,May 12, 2008