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Kenya is a land of contrasts. The country’s landscapes and cultural traditions are iconic, from the Maasai Mara National Reserve to Lamu Island, Nairobi to Mombasa.
And Kenya is increasingly drawing the attention of employers seeking international talent.
A skilled, English-speaking workforce, paired with cost-effective labor and the incubating nature of Nairobi’s emerging tech scene, enables Kenya to offer a unique blend of business opportunities and captivating visitor experiences.
Here is an overview for employers planning a global expansion in Kenya, including employment laws and the available talent pool.
Kenya is home to remote global talent with a wide range of skills. Pro-business incentives, such as the education and industry development outlined by Kenya Vision 2030, are attracting the attention of both international companies and employees.
Here are some key facts about Kenya:
In Africa’s Silicon Savannah, Kenya’s skilled workforce has built a thriving fintech sector with growing ventures in energy, climate, education, and healthcare.
The Kenyan government actively supports international investment and streamlined regulations and tax incentives to make Kenya accessible for businesses seeking to expand their global team.
Kenya’s advanced information, communications, and technology infrastructure — including excellent internet connectivity and widespread mobile networks — makes it a supportive location for remote work.
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Kenya's top talent holds degrees in various science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields.
Common job sectors for international companies hiring remote Kenyan talent include:
Hiring remote employees in Kenya offers a significant cost advantage compared to many Western countries. However, employers first need to navigate the specifics of Kenyan labor law.
Four main types of employment contracts, outlined in the Employment Act, govern employment in Kenya.
Employees who are employed for two months or longer must receive written details outlining the main covenants of their contract. The following contracts may initially be written or verbal:
Essential details of all employment contracts in Kenya include, but are not limited to, job description, compensation, working hours, and ownership of any intellectual property created.
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The minimum wage is KES 15,201. The typical workweek is generally 45 hours, although a 52-hour workweek is also standard. Overtime pay is at least one and a half times an employee’s standard hourly rate.
Probationary periods may last up to six months.
Employers contribute 6% of employee salaries through payroll, with an additional 1.5% payment made to the Industrial Training Levy Fund and a flat-rate payment per employee to the National Housing Fund.
If an employer is planning on terminating an employee due to misconduct, poor performance, or incapacity, it must first conduct a hearing. Following the hearing, the employer must provide the employee with a letter justifying the termination.
The required notice period for termination varies depending on payroll:
Employers may provide payment in lieu of notice.
Kenyan law does not mandate severance pay for most terminations other than as outlined in employment contracts or collective bargaining agreements.
However, in cases of redundancy, employees are entitled to severance pay equivalent to 15 days’ wages for each completed year of service with the company.
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In Kenya, all employees receive leave for public holidays. Additionally, Kenyan employees are entitled to at least 21 days of annual leave after one year of employment.
Employees have the right to 14 days of paid sick leave per year after completing two months of employment. Employees are paid their full wages for the first week and at half their regular pay rate for days 8-14.
Pregnant female employees are eligible for three months of fully paid maternity leave. New fathers receive two weeks of paid paternity leave. Parents preparing to adopt a child are eligible for one month of pre-adoptive leave at full salary.
Although Kenya does not have a digital nomad visa, the country offers other perks — like some of the fastest internet speeds in Africa — likely to attract digital nomads. Talk of a new international talent-friendly tax scheme is also on the rise.
Coworking spaces like Nairobi Garage make building a network of like-minded travelers easier. And although the cost of living throughout Kenya is generally lower than in Western countries, Mombasa offers reduced costs for nomads interested in working in a city other than Nairobi.
As an Employer of Record (EOR), Remofirst simplifies hiring employees in different countries — including Kenya — by handling tasks like global payroll, taxes, and employee benefits and lessening the burden of navigating international employment regulations.
Book a demo today to learn more.
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