A women’s rights organisation has highlighted the minimum wage requirements for domestic workers in Nairobi amid concerns that many continue to earn below the legal threshold due to informal employment arrangements.

The Coalition on Violence Against Women (COVAW), in collaboration with the Centre for Domestic Training and Development (CDTD), convened a Dialogue and Knowledge Exchange Forum bringing together domestic and childcare workers, employers, labour officials and civil society actors on Friday, March 13, 2026.

The forum focused on improving understanding of workers’ rights, employer responsibilities and fair labour practices within the domestic work sector.

Many domestic workers in Kenya, including those providing childcare, operate without written contracts or formal documentation outlining terms of employment. This lack of formal agreements has contributed to cases of underpayment and poor working conditions.

However, labour officials noted that the absence of a written contract does not remove the legal protections available to domestic workers under Kenyan law.

Assistant Labour Commissioner Artlibert Makori told participants that legal safeguards remain in place regardless of whether employment arrangements are formal or informal.

“Even without a written contract, the Employment Act protects domestic workers,” he said.

Makori noted that employers cannot dismiss workers arbitrarily and must provide valid reasons and proper notice when ending employment. He added that this requirement applies even during probation periods.

Minimum wage requirements for domestic workers

Kenya’s Regulation of Wages (General) (Amendment) Order 2024, which came into effect in November 2024, outlines the minimum wage levels for domestic workers in urban areas such as Nairobi.

Under the regulations, a live-in domestic worker, including house servants, children’s ayahs, cleaners or gardeners, must earn at least Ksh16,113.75 per month as the basic minimum wage. The amount excludes housing allowance since accommodation and food are typically provided by the employer.

For live-out domestic workers, the same base salary applies, but employers are required to add a 15 per cent housing allowance, bringing the total to approximately Ksh18,531 per month.

Makori also outlined working conditions set by law. Domestic workers should not work more than 52 hours per week, with overtime compensated at one and a half times the normal hourly rate.

He added that workers are entitled to at least one paid rest day every week, usually on Sunday.

“The law is also clear on wages. In cities such as Nairobi, a live-in domestic worker must earn at least Ksh16,114 per month, a figure that already accounts for food and housing provided by the employer. “

“For live-out workers, the same base applies, but the employer must also provide a 15 per cent housing allowance, bringing the total minimum pay to around Ksh18,531 per month,” read the X post in part.

Calls for awareness and enforcement

Participants at the forum noted that enforcement and awareness remain major challenges within the domestic work sector. Many workers are unaware of the minimum wage requirements or their labour rights, while some employers fail to comply with the regulations.

They also emphasised the need for greater public education to ensure both workers and employers understand legal obligations.

COVAW and CDTD said continued engagement between workers, employers and labour authorities is necessary to improve working conditions and ensure compliance with labour laws governing domestic work.

Participants agreed that recognising domestic work, including childcare services, as dignified and protected labour is key to improving conditions for workers across the sector.