African Market Entry and Expansion for Multinationals

Kenya

kenya-flag

Hiring Employees in Kenya

Spoken Language

English and Kiswahili are the official languages and there are a total of 68 languages spoken in Kenya. This variety is a reflection of the country’s diverse population.

Currency

Kenyan Shillings (Kshs.)

Average hours & Overtime

Average working hours consist of 45 hours of work per week. The Kenyan law specifies the normal number of working hours varied by industries. If an employee works in excess of normal hours per week as specified, the additional hours are treated as overtime.

Wages and salaries

The mandated minimum wage in Kenya is Kshs. 13,572.909 ($129.87) per month.

Observed National Holidays and vacation

Paid holidays include New Year’s Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Labor Day, Madaraka Day, Mashujaa Day Independence/ Jamhuri Day, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, Idd-Ul-Fitr

Expats, Visas, & Work Permits

Kenyan employers are responsible for obtaining work permits for their expatriate employees. The Immigration documents include E-Visa, special pass, work permit, dependent pass, alien card, student pass etc

Termination Notice

According to the Kenyan Employment Act, the acceptable notice periods are as follows;

• If the employee is employed on a daily wage contract, the termination notice is given at the close of any day without notice.
• If the employee is employed on a weekly pay or two-week basis, the notice period shall be one week or two weeks respectively, given in writing or payment of one week’s salary in lieu of notice.
• If the employee is employed on a monthly basis the notice period shall be 28 days and in writing or payment of one month’s salary in lieu of notice.
• In the case where a contract of employment provides that the notice of termination be given for a greater period than one month, then there will be an agreement in writing between employer and employee for a longer notice and the agreed notice period shall be of equal duration for both employer and the employee.

Statutory Deductions

• National Social Security Fund (NSSF)
• National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF)
• Pay As You Earn (PAYE)
• Union Dues
• Higher Education Loans Board (HELB)

Health Insurance

Provision of health insurance for employees is a common practice, but it is not mandatory.

Important Information

Foreign employees who fail to renew their work permit with the government face up to 3 years in prison and a fine not exceeding Kshs. 50,000.

Contact Us to Get Started

How can we help you?