Workforce Africa, Kenya
Your Gateway to Exceptional HR Solutions in the Heart of East Africa. With over 40 years of expertise in navigating the dynamic Kenyan job market, we are your trusted partner for unlocking the full potential of your workforce
Interesting Economic Facts About Kenya
Kenya, with its capital city Nairobi and a population of approximately 54 million people as of 2023, boasts one of the largest economies in East Africa. The economy is driven by agriculture, manufacturing, services, and tourism. Agriculture, employing about 75% of the workforce, is pivotal, with key exports such as tea, coffee, and horticultural products.
Kenya has two official languages, English and Swahili, and is culturally diverse, with over 40 ethnic groups. The country is rich in cultural heritage, celebrated through music, dance, and art, with traditional dances like the Maasai jumping dance gaining global recognition.
Kenya's economy thrives on agriculture, with horticultural and tea products being significant exports, and its financial sector is the most diversified in the region, with the highest financial inclusion globally.
Kenya is also known as the Silicon Savannah due to its rapid growth in technology and innovation, especially in mobile money. In fact, M-Pesa, the mobile money platform developed in Kenya, revolutionized financial transactions across Africa and became a global success story. .
Employment Laws
Employement Contracts in Kenya
There is no formality requirement for employment contracts. Employment contracts may be oral or written. However, employees hired for more than three months are required to have written contracts and the Employment Act prescribes what terms should mandatorily be included in the employment contract.
Employment contracts can include a probation period. The probationary period shall not be more than six months but may, by agreement, be extended for another period of up to a further six months. Therefore, the total possible probationary period is 12 months.
Working Hours
Generally daytime workers should not exceed 52 hours over six days a week, and night workers should not exceed 60 hours per week, though these limits can be waived by mutual agreement documented in the employment contract. Management employees have no hour restrictions unless specified in their contract. The Employment Act entitles every employee to at least one rest day within a seven-day period.
An employee is entitled to be paid at the rate of 1.5 times their hourly rate for each hour worked in excess of their agreed number of hours per work and two times their normal hourly rate for time worked on the employee's normal rest day or a public holiday or otherwise as agreed in their contract of employment.
Leave Policies in Kenya
Annual Leave:Employees who work for 12 consecutive months are entitled to a minimum of 21 days of fully paid leave, which can be divided upon agreement, while those with less than 12 months of service receive 1.75 days of consecutive paid leave per completed month upon termination. These terms may be subject to mutual consent or collective agreements.
Sick Leave: Employees with two months of continuous service are entitled to up to 30 days of sick leave with full pay, followed by a maximum of 15 days with half pay for each consecutive 12-month period. A medical certificate is mandatory for sick leave eligibility.
Maternity Leave: Female employees are entitled to maternity leave of three months with full pay. Maternity leave can also be extended with the consent of the employer.
Paternal Leave: Male employees are entitled to two weeks paternity leave with full pay.
Public Holidays
Payroll Taxes and Statutory Deduction in Kenya
Termination and Probation in Kenya
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