What is the latest minimum wage for house helps in Kenya?

The minimum wage for house helps in Kenya depends on location and job category, as set by the Regulation of Wages Orders issued by the government.

Does the minimum wage for house helps differ by location?

Yes. House helps working in major cities such as Nairobi earn higher minimum wages than those in municipalities or rural areas.

Is it illegal to pay a house help below the minimum wage?

Yes. Paying below the gazetted minimum wage is against Kenyan labour laws and can attract penalties or legal action.

Does the minimum wage include food and accommodation?

No. Minimum wage figures are basic pay and do not include food, housing, or other benefits unless agreed separately.

Latest Minimum Wage for House Helps in Kenya (2026 Update) – How Much Domestic Workers Must Be Paid

What the law says:

In Kenya the employment of domestic workers is covered under general labour regulation. According to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, the “Regulation of Wages (General) (Amendment) Order” provides minimum wage levels for domestic workers based on region:

Domestic workers in cities (Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru) were historically entitled to KES 13,572.90 per month.
Those in municipalities had a lower minimum (around KES 7,240.95 in earlier versions).
More recently, a wage order published in November 2024 sets the minimum monthly pay for domestic/house-servant workers in major cities at KES 16,113.

LATEST: Minimum Salary for House Helps in Kenya

The minimum wage for house helps in Kenya has become one of the most discussed labour and economic topics of 2025. With new government wage orders in place, domestic workers — including housemaids, cleaners, nannies, gardeners, ayahs, and other household staff — are now covered by clearer, legally defined minimum pay scales that reflect Kenya’s evolving labour market, rising cost of living, and shifting regulatory environment.

This article breaks down:

What the law now requires on minimum wages for house helps in Kenya.
How the wage differs by region and worker category.
Why enforcement and compliance matter.
Practical implications for both employers and workers.
How to ensure fair, lawful employment of house helps.

By the end, you will clearly understand the current legally mandated minimum wage for house helps in Kenya, how it is applied, and what employers and workers must know to comply and protect rights.

1. What Is the Minimum Wage for House Helps in Kenya?

The minimum wage for house helps in Kenya refers to the lowest amount that an employer is legally required to pay a domestic worker under Kenya’s Regulation of Wages orders. Domestic work includes duties such as cleaning, cooking, laundry, childcare (ayah), gardening, and more.

Recent wage orders issued by the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection have updated these minimums to reflect inflation, cost of living increases, and judgments about fair labour standards. These revised wage orders came into effect from November 1, 2024, with enforcement continuing through 2025 and into 2026.

The most up‑to‑date legal document — the Regulation of Wages (General) (Amendment) Order — clearly lists the current minimum wages for various worker classes including domestic workers.

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2. Minimum Wage by Region: Cities, Municipalities, and Other Areas

Kenya’s minimum wage framework for house helps is geographically tiered, meaning that wages vary based on where the work is performed — with the highest standards in major cities, followed by municipalities, and then all other regions.

Here is how the minimum wage for house helps is structured:

a) Cities (Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, Eldoret)

Domestic workers in major urban centers such as Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, and Eldoret now have a higher legal minimum wage due to the higher cost of living and labour market conditions in those cities.

Under the latest wage order:

General domestic workers (cleaners, housemaids, children’s ayahs, gardeners, day watchmen, messengers) must receive at least KES 16,113 per month.
This translates to an approximate daily minimum of KES 775 and hourly minimum of KES 144 (assuming standard working hours).

This constitutes a significant increase from previous wage levels (which had not been substantially updated since 2018) and aligns house help wages more closely with other sectors of the workforce.

b) Municipalities (e.g., Ruiru, Mavoko, Limuru)

In municipalities — towns transitioning to urban status but not yet classified as major cities — the minimum wage for domestic workers is slightly lower:

Municipal house help minimum wage: approximately KES 14,866 per month.
With adjusted daily and hourly equivalents based on standard working patterns.

c) All Other Areas

In rural and other less densely populated areas, the legal minimum drops further:

House helps and domestic workers outside classified cities and municipalities must receive at least KES 8,596 monthly.
This wage is proportionate to the cost‑of‑living differences and labour market variation across Kenya.

Summary Table: Minimum Wage for House Helps in Kenya

Region Category	Monthly Minimum Wage (KES)	Approx. Daily Rate	Approx. Hourly Rate
Cities	16,113	775	144
Municipalities	14,866	712	132
Other Areas	8,596	436	81
Based on the Regulation of Wages (General) (Amendment) Order 2024.

3. Why the Update Matters

The update to minimum wage for house helps in Kenya is significant for several reasons:

a. Long‑Overdue Adjustment

Before the new wage order, many domestic workers were still being compensated under outdated wage levels that did not reflect current inflation or living costs. The 2024 wage order finally addresses this long‑standing gap by uplifting basic pay, especially in cities where living expenses are higher.

b. Standardising Domestic Work

Domestic labour was historically informal and unregulated in many cases. The updated minimum wage standards help formalise the role of house helps as genuine contributors to economic activity with enforceable rights and protections.

c. Protecting Workers

By legally specifying minimum wages based on region, the wage order gives house helps a clear benchmark they and employers can use when negotiating employment terms. This reduces exploitation and wage underpayment.

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4. Employer Obligations Beyond Pay

While paying the minimum wage for house helps in Kenya is the central requirement, the law also places other obligations on employers:

a. Weekly Rest Days

Domestic workers are entitled to at least two days off per week. Failure to provide these rest days may require employers to compensate the worker at higher penalty rates.

b. Statutory Contributions

Employers may be legally obligated to make statutory contributions on behalf of their domestic workers, including:

National Social Security Fund (NSSF) contributions.
National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) contributions.

These contributions ensure workers have access to social security benefits and healthcare coverage.

c. Overtime and Hourly Work

Work beyond normal working hours should be compensated as overtime where applicable. Hourly part‑time workers should be paid fairly relative to their full‑time equivalents, even if they only work a few days per week.

d. Written Contracts and Transparency

Employers and domestic workers are strongly encouraged to document employment terms in writing, including duties, hours, rest days, wages, and any benefits (such as meals or accommodation) that are part of the compensation package.

5. Live‑In Versus Live‑Out Arrangements

In Kenya, many house helps are employed on either live‑in or live‑out terms.

Live‑In Workers

These are domestic staff who reside in the employer’s home as part of their employment arrangement. While accommodation and meals are provided, the cash wages must still meet or exceed the legally prescribed minimum wage, unless otherwise explicitly agreed and compliant with law.

Live‑Out Workers

Workers who commute daily to work and are not housed by the employer must be paid the full minimum wage in cash, and appropriate transport and meal allowances should be clearly defined where applicable. House Girls Village

Both live‑in and live‑out agreements should be put in writing to avoid misunderstanding and ensure fair treatment.

6. Enforcement and Legal Compliance

Failure to comply with the minimum wage for house helps in Kenya can result in legal consequences for employers. The Ministry of Labour has issued warnings and emphasized enforcement of wage directives to ensure compliance with the updated wage orders.

Penalties for non‑compliance may include:

Legal action and back payments of wages.
Fines or administrative penalties.
Mandatory compliance orders by labour authorities.

Workers who feel underpaid or unfairly treated can file complaints with relevant labour offices or seek legal assistance.

7. Practical Tips for Employers and Workers

For Employers

Review current wage rates based on region and worker type.
Ensure compliance with statutory contributions and rest periods.
Clearly define duties, hours, and pay structures in written contracts.
Factor accommodation, meals, and allowances into total compensation.

For Workers

Know your rights and the legally required minimum wage where you work.
Request written employment terms, including wages and benefits.
Keep records of hours worked, rest days provided, and payments received.
Seek help from labour authorities if you believe the wage agreement is unfair or below legal minimums.

8. Conclusion: What You Must Know

The minimum wage for house helps in Kenya has now been clearly defined in law, with a major update taking effect from late 2024 and carrying through 2025/2026. It represents a tangible effort by the government to uplift domestic workers’ earnings, standardise employment practices, and promote dignity in domestic labour.

Key takeaways:

In cities such as Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, and Eldoret, domestic workers must be paid at least KES 16,113 per month.
In municipalities, the minimum is about KES 14,866 per month.
In other areas, the wage floor is KES 8,596 per month. labour.go.ke
Employers must also observe rest days, statutory contributions, overtime rules, and clear contractual terms.

For both employers and domestic workers, understanding and abiding by these wage regulations is essential for fair, lawful, and professional employment relationships. Whether you are hiring your first house help or managing a team of domestic staff, compliance with the minimum wage requirements protects both parties and strengthens trust in the domestic labour market.

Read related: 12 Reasons Why Kenyan House Helps Go for Work in Gulf Countries (Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Dubai, UAE)

The minimum wage for house helps in Kenya has become one of the most important topics for both domestic workers and employers in 2025 and into 2026. With the new Regulation of Wages (General) (Amendment) Order, the government aims to ensure fair, consistent pay for housemaids, cleaners, nannies, ayahs, gardeners, and other house help roles across all regions in the country. These updated pay scales respond directly to rising living costs, inflation, and the need for more formal protections in domestic work.

Not only do these pay rates affect how much domestic worker pay should be, but they also influence labour rights, employer obligations, and expectations around rest days, overtime, contracts, and worker benefits. It’s important for both employers and workers to understand exactly how these minimum salaries are structured and what they mean in real life.

📍 Understanding Regional Differences in House Help Wages

Kenya’s minimumsalary for house helps is tiered based on where the work is done — reflecting cost-of-living differences across the country:

Cities (Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, Eldoret): At least KES 16,113/month.
Municipalities (e.g., Ruiru, Mavoko, Limuru): About KES 14,866/month.
Other areas (rural & smaller towns): At least KES 8,596/month.

These regional pay bands mean a house help’s minimum wage can vary widely depending on the job location, yet every domestic worker must receive at least the legally mandated base pay.

📌 Why the Minimum Wage Increase Matters to Workers and Employers

🔹 For House Helps

Ensures a fair, consistent wage floor even if jobs vary by household.
Provides a benchmark for salary negotiations, whether a worker is live-in or live-out.
Helps protect against underpayment and unfair labour conditions.

🔹 For Employers

Encourages legally compliant labour practices.
Reduces chances of disputes or complaints with labour authorities.
Promotes fair treatment and retention of reliable domestic staff.

📍 Pay Beyond the Minimum Wage

While these figures are the minimum, many employers choose to pay above the legal minimum for several reasons:

✔ To attract experienced or skilled domestic workers
✔ To include benefits like meals, accommodation, transport, or bonuses
✔ To compensate for extra duties like childcare, cleaning, cooking, or elderly care

Paying above minimum can help maintain loyalty, reduce turnover, and reflect market rates for house help wages in competitive areas.

📝 Employer Obligations

Alongside paying the minimum wage, employers should also observe these standards:

Provide statutory contributions, such as NSSF and NHIF.
Ensure rest days and reasonable work hours.
Keep written contracts detailing duties and pay.

Clear agreements help protect both parties and avoid misunderstandings related to pay, hours worked, leave, and job expectations.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

💡 1. What is the current minimum wage for house helps in Kenya?

The minimum wage varies by region — cities at around KES 16,113/month, municipalities around KES 14,866/month, and other areas about KES 8,596/month for household staff.

💡 2. Does the minimum salary include meals and accommodation?

No — the legal minimum wage refers to cash salary. Meals, accommodation, or transport can be added as part of total compensation but shouldn’t replace basic pay.

💡 3. Are housemaids and nannies covered under the same minimum wage rules?

Yes. The minimum wage applies equally to all domestic workers, including housemaids, nannies, cleaners, gardeners, and ayahs under Kenya’s labour regulations.

💡 4. Can I pay a house help less if she lives in my home?

Even if a worker is live-in, the cash wage must meet the minimum threshold. Benefits like accommodation or meals can be offered in addition but not in place of the wage floor.

💡 5. How often should house helps be paid?

Employers are encouraged to pay monthly or as agreed in the contract. Regular salary payments help avoid disputes and ensure compliance with Kenyan labour standards.

💡 6. What happens if an employer fails to pay the minimum wage?

Workers can report non-compliance to labour authorities and may seek legal enforcement, back-pay, or penalties against the employer for violating wage regulations.

📌 Final Tip

Make sure all agreements — including salary, benefits, hours, leave, and job scope — are clearly written and signed. This protects both the house help and the employer and ensures trust, fairness, and legal compliance.

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About the Author

House Girls Village & Bureau
Domestic Staff Placement Experts in Kenya

This article was written by the team at House Girls Village & Bureau, a domestic staff placement bureau based in Kenya. With hands-on experience in recruiting, training, and placing house helps for Kenyan households, we work closely with both employers and domestic workers to ensure fair, safe, and professional placements. Our daily work involves screening candidates, advising families, resolving placement issues, and promoting ethical domestic employment practices.