- Charity Watetu, a Kenyan woman who has worked as a cleaner in Germany for 17 years, shared 5 legal pathways Kenyans can use to move to the country
- Watetu warned Kenyans against selling property or paying fraudsters who promise guaranteed German visas
- She also cautioned against sham marriages, stressing that family reunification only applies to legally married spouses and minor children
A Kenyan woman who has spent 17 years working as a cleaner in Germany is now using her experience to guide fellow Kenyans hoping to relocate to Europe, sharing five legitimate pathways on Facebook that have since captured widespread attention online.
Source: UGC
Charity Watetu posted the advice on Friday, October 23, 2026, addressing what she described as widespread confusion and misinformation about how to reach Germany legally.
The first option she highlighted is family reunification, known in German as Familiennachzug.
Relatives who do not grant anyone German residency
Under this pathway, a spouse or minor child of someone legally residing in Germany may qualify to join them.
Watetu was quick to clarify, however, that having a cousin, uncle or sibling in the country does not automatically grant anyone the right to relocate.
The second route is Ausbildung, a vocational training programme that allows young people to train for a profession in Germany while receiving a training allowance.
Standard work and student visa
Watetu noted that applicants typically need German language skills and must satisfy visa requirements before they can qualify.
Her third option was a standard work visa, available to those with recognised qualifications and a suitable job offer in Germany.
The fourth was a student visa, which applies to those who have secured admission at a German university and can demonstrate they meet the financial conditions attached to the application.
Watetu warns about the dangers of chasing shortcuts
The fifth and perhaps least familiar option she mentioned was the Opportunity Card, or Chancenkarte, a relatively new route that allows qualified individuals to enter Germany specifically to search for employment, provided they meet the set criteria.
Beyond listing the routes, Watetu used the post to issue a pointed warning about the dangers of chasing shortcuts.
She urged Kenyans not to sell land, livestock or any other assets to pay individuals promising a guaranteed German visa, stressing that a genuine visa can only be obtained through the proper legal process.
Is marriage a visa business?
She was equally firm on the issue of marriage.
"Marriage is not a visa business," she wrote, cautioning that entering a sham union purely to gain entry into Germany was not only illegal but also a path many had come to regret.
Her parting advice was straightforward: research your options on official German immigration websites before spending a single shilling, because the right pathway depends entirely on each person's individual circumstances.
Civilian employment opportunities with Germany’s armed forces
In another story, TUKO also highlighted facts about civilian employment opportunities with Germany’s armed forces for eligible foreign nationals without German citizenship.
The guide named four associated employers and outlines the residence permits and professional requirements applicants must meet.
Source: TUKO.co.ke