Kenya · Employment & Labor
Hiring rules, employment contracts, payroll, social insurance, and EOR options.
AI-drafted, editorial review pending. The official links below are checked — confirm specifics with the authority.
Employment is governed mainly by the Employment Act 2007: annual leave is 21 working days after twelve consecutive months of service, maternity leave three months on full pay and paternity leave two weeks, and minimum wages are set by wage orders that differ by sector and location. Employers deduct and remit three statutory contributions each month: the Social Health Insurance Fund contribution of 2.75% of gross pay (minimum KES 300), NSSF pension contributions of 6% from the employee and 6% from the employer on pensionable earnings up to an upper limit of KES 108,000 a month, and the 1.5% Affordable Housing Levy, which the employer matches. The NSSF Act 2013 is under appeal in court; the Fund says the current rates still apply.
- Annual leave: 21 working days after 12 months; maternity leave three months on full pay.
- Payroll deductions: SHIF 2.75%, NSSF 6% + 6% up to KES 108,000, housing levy 1.5% + 1.5%.
- Minimum wages are set by sector and location through wage orders.
- Ministry of Labour and Social Protection
Ministry of Labour and Social Protection.
- National Social Security Fund (NSSF)
National Social Security Fund: pension contributions.
- Social Health Authority — premium rates
Social Health Authority: SHIF contributions of 2.75% of gross income.
Government portals
- Business Registration Service (BRS) — Company, LLP and business-name registration, official searches and insolvency.
- Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) — Tax PINs, income tax, PAYE, VAT, eTIMS invoicing and customs.
- Directorate of Immigration Services — Work permits and passes, permanent residence, eTA and passports.
- Office of the Data Protection Commissioner (ODPC) — Registration of data controllers and processors, complaints and breach reports.