Domestic Work in Kenya

Know more about Domestic Worker Laws in Kenya. Get more information about Domestic Workers Wages, Domestic Workers Leave and Domestic Workers Rights

Who is a Domestic Worker?

A domestic worker includes a cleaner, cook, gardener, nanny and housekeeper.

What does the national law say about Domestic Workers?

Kenya passed the Domestic Workers’ Law in June 2011 following the decision of the Ministry of Labour to adopt the International Labour Organisation convention on domestic workers, who include cleaners, cooks, gardeners, nannies and housekeepers. The ILO Convention 189 declares that domestic workers are entitled to the same basic labour rights as other workers. In this spirit Kenya passed the law supposedly to improve wages and working conditions for Kenya’s domestic workforce, thereby affording domestic workers greater job security and wages to support their families.

What is the Minimum Wage for Domestic Workers?

Minimum wage for domestic workers is included in the Regulation of Wages (general) order in which a domestic worker in cities should earn a minimum monthly salary of KES8, 580; KES 7,916 in municipalities and KES 4,577 in other areas.

What other benefits can Domestic Workers receive under law?

Under Kenyan law, domestic workers are entitled to two days of rest every week and an annual leave of 21 days with full salary, sick leave, and maternity leave benefits; health care coverage; and a safe workplace. But in practice these legal protections are often not enforced.

Can employers be penalised for non-compliance?

Section 87 of the Employment Act, 2007 defines a penalty for those who do not comply with the law as being liable to six months imprisonment or a fine of 50,000 shillings. Also, employers who fail to remit National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) deductions for their domestic workers, risk incurring a monthly penalty amounting to five times the contribution.

Where can the domestic worker complain in case of a problem?

As any other worker, the law provides for an aggrieved domestic worker to complain to the labour officer, or lodge a complaint in the Industrial Court (section 86 (1) (c) of Employment Act.

Is there a union for Domestic Workers?

Yes, there is the Kenyan Union of Domestic, Hotel, Educational Institutions, Hospitals, and Allied Workers (KUDHEIHA).

Read more

Find out more about Minimum Wages in Kenya. And take our easy Salary Survey.

A domestic worker includes a cleaner, cook, gardener, nanny and housekeeper.

What does the national law say about Domestic Workers?

Kenya passed the Domestic Workers’ Law in June 2011 following the decision of the Ministry of Labour to adopt the International Labour Organisation convention on domestic workers, who include cleaners, cooks, gardeners, nannies and housekeepers. The ILO Convention 189 declares that domestic workers are entitled to the same basic labour rights as other workers. In this spirit Kenya passed the law supposedly to improve wages and working conditions for Kenya’s domestic workforce, thereby affording domestic workers greater job security and wages to support their families.

What is the Minimum Wage for Domestic Workers?

Minimum wage for domestic workers is included in the Regulation of Wages (general) order in which a domestic worker in cities should earn a minimum monthly salary of KES8, 580; KES 7,916 in municipalities and KES 4,577 in other areas.

What other benefits can Domestic Workers receive under law?

Under Kenyan law, domestic workers are entitled to two days of rest every week and an annual leave of 21 days with full salary, sick leave, and maternity leave benefits; health care coverage; and a safe workplace. But in practice these legal protections are often not enforced.

Section 87 of the Employment Act, 2007 defines a penalty for those who do not comply with the law as being liable to six months imprisonment or a fine of 50,000 shillings. Also, employers who fail to remit National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) deductions for their domestic workers, risk incurring a monthly penalty amounting to five times the contribution.

Where can the domestic worker complain in case of a problem?

As any other worker, the law provides for an aggrieved domestic worker to complain to the labour officer, or lodge a complaint in the Industrial Court (section 86 (1) (c) of Employment Act.

Is there a union for Domestic Workers?

Yes, there is the Kenyan Union of Domestic, Hotel, Educational Institutions, Hospitals, and Allied Workers (KUDHEIHA).

Read more

Find out more about Minimum Wages in Kenya. And take our easy Salary Survey.


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