Many Nairobi households employ someone at home: a house manager (often called a house help), a nanny, a gardener, a driver or an askari. If you do, you are an employer, with the same legal duties as a company.

Finding someone

  • Referrals from friends, neighbours and colleagues are the most common route, and usually the best.
  • Agencies screen candidates and often offer a replacement period. Ask what their fee covers and check reviews.
  • Check ID, references (call them), and ask for a good conduct certificate. Agree a trial period.

Pay

  • Minimum wage. In Nairobi, a house worker, gardener or day watchman must be paid at least KES 18,047 a month from 1 May 2026. Experienced nannies and house managers are usually paid more.
  • Housing allowance. If they do not live in, you must add 15% of basic pay. If they live in, provide decent accommodation and food as agreed.
  • Pay on time, by M-Pesa or bank transfer, and give a payslip.

Work out take-home pay and your total cost with the household staff calculator.

Deductions and registration

You must register as an employer and pay over, every month:

  • NSSF - 6% from their pay and the same from you.
  • SHIF - 2.75% of their gross, minimum KES 300.
  • Housing Levy - 1.5% from them and the same from you, paid through iTax.
  • PAYE - usually nothing at these wages, after personal relief.

These contributions give your employee a pension and health cover, so they matter to them as much as to the taxman.

The contract

Put it in writing - it is required for any job of three months or more. Cover:

  • Duties and working hours, including any live-in hours
  • Pay, the pay date and how it is paid
  • The weekly rest day - at least one full day a week
  • Annual leave - at least 21 working days a year after twelve months - and public holidays
  • Sick leave, and what happens if they need time off to travel upcountry
  • Notice, on both sides

See the employment contract checklist.

Ending the job

Give the notice in the contract, or at least 28 days if they are paid monthly, and pay everything owed: salary to the last day and any leave not taken. Dismissal needs a fair reason and a chance for them to respond. Give a certificate of service.

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