Find work in Kenya
Republic of Kenya — 55 million people, Kenyan Shilling (KES), English, Swahili. Full employment compliance handled for you, paid every Friday.
Capital
Nairobi
Population
55 million
GDP / capita
$2,100
Currency
KES
Kenyan Shilling
Time zone
UTC+3 (EAT)
Working in Kenya: what to expect
Key employment law provisions that affect your engagement. Corpshore handles compliance so you don't have to navigate this alone — but knowing your rights matters.
Standard workweek
52h max
45 hours (52 for security workers)
Annual leave
10 public holidays
21 working days after 12 months
Maternity leave
3 months, fully paid
Paternity leave
2 weeks, fully paid
Notice period
Contract-dependent; minimum 28 days for monthly contracts. No notice during probation.
Severance
15 days pay per year of service (on redundancy). Not payable on resignation or dismissal for cause.
Overtime rules
1.5x regular rate (weekday overtime), 2x (rest days and holidays). Maximum 48 overtime hours in 4 weeks.
Probation period
Up to 6 months (Employment Act 2007)
Tax landscape in Kenya
Indicative tax ranges for general orientation. Always consult a qualified tax advisor for your specific situation. Tax year: Calendar year (Jan-Dec).
- Income tax
- 10% to 35%
- Corporate tax
- 30% (resident); 37.5% (non-resident)
- Social contributions
- NSSF: KES 2,160/month each. NHIF: based on income brackets (KES 150-1,700/month). Housing Levy: 1.5% each.
- VAT / GST
- 16% (standard); 0% on exports
Treaty network
~15 tax treaties
Your fee is always zero
Corpshore charges the hiring business, never you. You receive 100% of the agreed rate, regardless of tax jurisdiction.
How you get paid in Kenya
M-Pesa (launched 2007 by Safaricom) is one of the world's most successful mobile money platforms, used by 96% of Kenyan households. Bank transfers via RTGS and EFT. Wise supports KES.
Bank transfer
M-Pesa (mobile money)
Wise
Settlement
Every Friday
No net-30 waits, no chasing invoices
Platform fee
Zero, forever
The business pays Corpshore, never you
Currency
KES
Local currency where supported
Regulatory landscape in Kenya
Corpshore manages compliance so you can focus on the work. Here's what shapes the regulatory environment for workers in Kenya.
Worker classification
Employment Act 2007 defines employee broadly. Independent contractor status is assessed on control, integration, and economic reality. Industrial Court handles disputes.
Data protection
Data Protection Act 2019 (effective November 2019). Office of the Data Protection Commissioner (ODPC) enforces. Data controllers and processors must register.
Right to work
Work permit (Class A-M, depending on role type) required for non-Kenyans. Employer must demonstrate position cannot be filled locally.
Non-compete enforceability
Generally enforceable if reasonable. Kenyan courts follow common law principles. Must be limited and compensated to be upheld.
Collective bargaining
Protected under the Labour Relations Act 2007. COTU (Central Organization of Trade Unions) is the main federation. Registration of collective agreements with the Ministry of Labour.
Working culture in Kenya
Business culture
Friendly and relationship-oriented. English is the business language. Nairobi's tech culture is innovative and entrepreneurial. Hospitality (karibu: welcome) is deeply valued.
Key industries
Talent pool strengths
Historical context
Kenya's M-Pesa, launched in 2007, was a leapfrog innovation: mobile money adoption happened in the absence of traditional banking infrastructure. By enabling peer-to-peer transfers via basic phones, it brought financial services to millions. Today, M-Pesa processes more transactions annually than Western Union does globally. This mobile-first culture drives Kenya's tech innovation.
At a glance
- Official name
- Republic of Kenya
- Languages
- English, Swahili
- Time zones
- UTC+3 (EAT)
- Data region
- Middle East & Africa
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