Your rights at work
Contracts, pay slips, leave, sick days and what your employer must do before letting you go.
Checked against the law on 16 October 2026
Contract and pay
A job of three months or more must have a written contract.
Employment Act 2007 — s.9(1)(opens Kenya Law)You must get a written, itemised pay statement showing gross pay and every deduction.
Employment Act 2007 — s.20(opens Kenya Law)
Leave
At least 21 working days of paid annual leave after every 12 months of service.
Employment Act 2007 — s.28(1)(a)(opens Kenya Law)Three months of maternity leave on full pay; two weeks of paternity leave on full pay.
Employment Act 2007 — s.29(1), (8)(opens Kenya Law)After two months of service: seven days of sick leave on full pay, then seven days on half pay, each year, with a medical certificate.
Employment Act 2007 — s.30(opens Kenya Law)
If your job ends
Monthly-paid workers are owed 28 days’ written notice, or pay instead of notice.
Employment Act 2007 — s.35(1)(c), s.36(opens Kenya Law)Before dismissing you for misconduct or poor performance, the employer must explain the reason in a language you understand and hear your side, with a colleague or union representative present.
Employment Act 2007 — s.41(opens Kenya Law)The employer has to prove the reason was valid and fair; an unfair dismissal can earn up to 12 months’ gross pay in compensation.
Employment Act 2007 — s.43, s.45, s.49(1)(c)(opens Kenya Law)Redundancy needs at least one month’s notice and severance of at least 15 days’ pay for each completed year.
Employment Act 2007 — s.40(1)(opens Kenya Law)You are entitled to a certificate of service when you leave.
Employment Act 2007 — s.51(opens Kenya Law)Employment claims must be filed within three years.
Employment Act 2007 — s.90(opens Kenya Law)
What to do
Keep copies of your contract, pay slips, M-Pesa salary messages and any warning letters.
Answer any show-cause letter in writing and keep a copy.
Time limits that apply
- File an employment claim (unfair dismissal, unpaid wages) — 3 years
- End of notice for a monthly-paid job — 28 days
- Earliest redundancy date after notice — 1 months
Where to get help
- County labour officeA labour officer can call your employer to a free conciliation meeting over unpaid wages or dismissal.
- Employment and Labour Relations CourtWhere employment claims are filed if conciliation fails.
- National Legal Aid Service (NLAS)Free legal advice and representation for people who cannot afford a lawyer (Legal Aid Act 2016). Ask at any court registry or Huduma Centre.
Every situation is different. Ask Verisha with your facts — answers cite the law.
Ask VerishaInformation, not legal advice. Check the official source, or an advocate, before you act.