Leave Policy in Kenya

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Overview of Leave Policy in Kenya

Kenya's labor laws define statutory leave entitlements that employers must provide to full-time employees. Here is a quick reference:

Kenya offers a valuable talent pool for companies expanding their global workforce in Africa. The country's leave policy ensures employees' rights to various types of paid and unpaid leave, including annual leave, public holidays, sick leave, maternity and paternity leave, and special leave categories. These regulations balance work and personal life, supporting employee well-being and productivity. Employers hiring from Kenya or through an Employer of Record (EOR) in Kenya must adhere to these laws to maintain a fair and compliant work environment.

Annual Leave (Vacation)

• Employees in Kenya are eligible for a minimum of 21 working days of paid annual leave after one year of employment (per the Employment Act 2007).
• According to the New Labour Law, new employees can take annual leave starting from the 7th month of employment.
• Employers can, with the employee’s consent, divide the annual leave into different segments to be taken at various times.
• The New Labour Law requires that employees take at least one uninterrupted period of 10 consecutive days out of the minimum 21 days of leave.

Public Holidays

Run Global Employment in Kenya with Gloroots

Hiring in Kenya? Gloroots helps you employ full-time team members compliantly, run payroll in local currency, and manage statutory leave without setting up a local entity. Book a demo to see how Gloroots supports your operations in Kenya.

Sick Days

After completing two consecutive months of service, employees in Kenya are entitled to up to 30 days of sick leave with full pay, followed by 15 days with half pay, within each 12-month period of continuous service. A professional medical certificate verifying the incapacity to work is required for all sick leave.

Maternity Leave

Female employees in Kenya are entitled to three months of paid maternity leave, with full job protection and return-to-work rights. Key entitlements and employer obligations include:

• Duration and pay: Three months of maternity leave, paid at the regular rate of pay.
• Notice requirement: Written notice at least one week before the intended start date. Shorter notice is acceptable if circumstances prevent advance notification.
• Medical documentation: Employers may request a certificate from a medical practitioner or midwife to confirm the request.
• Extensions: Employers can grant extensions. Employees may use annual leave or sick leave immediately following maternity leave with employer consent.
• Start of leave: Kenyan law does not specify how early maternity leave can begin before childbirth.
• Return-to-work rights: Employees return to their previous position or an equivalent role with the same or better terms and conditions.
• Anti-discrimination protections: Demoting or terminating an employee during or immediately after maternity leave is considered discriminatory. Inquiring about pregnancy status or plans during recruitment is also discriminatory. Employers cannot mandate pregnancy tests unless the job poses a risk to pregnancy.

Paternity Leave

Fathers in Kenya are eligible for two weeks of paid paternity leave.

Hassle-Free Leave Policy Management in Kenya  with Gloroots

At Gloroots, we understand that managing leave policies can be complex, especially when expanding your business and hiring internationally. Our platform ensures compliance with Kenya labor laws, keeps accurate leave balances, processes leave requests, and generates detailed leave reports. By partnering with Gloroots, you can concentrate on growing your business while we manage employee leave administration alongside payroll execution and the broader benefits of EOR. Contact us to learn how Gloroots can simplify your HR processes and support your operations in Kenya.

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