Contracts, pay, leave, working hours, termination and remedies.
Search the official Constitution →Kenyan workers are protected by the Employment Act and related laws. These guarantee a written contract, a minimum wage, paid leave, safe conditions, and protection from unfair dismissal — with the Employment and Labour Relations Court to enforce them.
Article 41Your employer must give you a written contract and pay you at least the minimum wage, on time, with an itemised payslip. Several statutory deductions — PAYE, NSSF, SHIF and the housing levy — are taken from your pay by law.
Kenyan law sets limits on working hours and guarantees paid leave — including annual leave, sick leave, and maternity and paternity leave. These are minimum entitlements your employer cannot reduce.
An employer can end your job, but only for a fair reason — misconduct, poor performance or redundancy — and by following a fair process, including notice. Redundancy carries extra duties, including severance pay.
If you are dismissed without a fair reason or fair process, you can challenge it — first with a labour officer, then at the Employment and Labour Relations Court. Remedies include compensation of up to 12 months’ pay, or reinstatement.
