Finding the right domestic worker starts with understanding the role you actually need. In Kenya, terms such as nanny, house help, housekeeper, caregiver, and house manager are often used interchangeably, even though they describe different jobs with different responsibilities.
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| Understanding the different domestic worker roles helps employers hire the right professional for their household. |
At House Girls Village & Bureau, we regularly receive requests from employers looking for a "house girl," only to discover they actually need a trained nanny, an elderly caregiver, or even someone capable of managing an entire household.
Likewise, many job seekers limit their opportunities simply because they don't understand the differences between these positions or the skills employers expect for each.
This guide explains the most common domestic worker job titles in Kenya, what each role involves, and how to choose the right person for your home.
Key Takeaways
A nanny primarily cares for children.
A house help handles general household duties and may assist with childcare.
A housekeeper focuses on cleaning, organization, and maintaining high housekeeping standards.
A caregiver provides personal care for elderly people, patients, or individuals with disabilities.
A house manager supervises the entire household, including staff, budgets, and household operations.
Choosing the correct role improves productivity, job satisfaction, and long-term employment success.
Why Job Titles Matter
Hiring the wrong type of domestic worker often leads to frustration for both employers and employees.
For example:
Hiring a cleaner when you really need childcare may leave your children without adequate supervision.
Employing a nanny but expecting full-time cooking and deep cleaning creates unrealistic workloads.
Hiring a caregiver without medical experience may compromise the quality of care for an elderly relative.
Understanding each role helps set realistic expectations from the beginning.
1. House Help
A house help is the most common domestic worker in Kenya.
This role involves assisting with everyday household chores and ensuring the home remains clean, organized, and functional.
Typical Responsibilities
Sweeping and mopping floors
Laundry and ironing
Washing dishes
Preparing meals
Grocery organization
Basic childcare assistance
General cleaning
Best For
Busy working families
Small households
Apartments
Families with older children
Skills Employers Value
Time management
Honesty
Cooking skills
Organization
Reliability
2. Nanny
A nanny specializes in caring for babies and children.
Unlike a general house help, a nanny's primary responsibility is child development, safety, and daily care.
Typical Responsibilities
Feeding children
Bathing infants
Preparing baby meals
School preparation
Homework assistance
Educational play
Monitoring developmental milestones
Maintaining children's routines
Best For
Families with infants
Toddlers
Preschool children
Multiple young children
Skills Employers Value
First aid knowledge
Patience
Child psychology
Communication
Emergency response
Child nutrition
3. Housekeeper
A housekeeper focuses almost entirely on maintaining a home's cleanliness and presentation.
This position is common in:
Executive homes
Luxury residences
Apartments
Hotels
Airbnb properties
Responsibilities
Deep cleaning
Bed making
Linen management
Wardrobe organization
Dusting
Bathroom sanitation
Kitchen hygiene
Housekeepers generally perform less childcare than house helps.
4. Caregiver
A caregiver provides physical and emotional support to people who require daily assistance.
Caregivers commonly work with:
Elderly individuals
Stroke survivors
Persons with disabilities
Patients recovering after surgery
Individuals with chronic illnesses
Responsibilities
Personal hygiene assistance
Bathing
Dressing
Medication reminders
Meal preparation
Mobility assistance
Companionship
Health monitoring
Many employers prefer caregivers with professional training or relevant certifications.
5. House Manager (Domestic Manager)
A house manager oversees the smooth running of a household.
This role is common in larger homes employing multiple domestic workers.
Responsibilities
Supervising domestic staff
Household budgeting
Grocery planning
Scheduling repairs
Managing household supplies
Coordinating service providers
Organizing family schedules
Ensuring household standards are maintained
A house manager performs less physical work and more planning, coordination, and supervision.
Note: Some employers shorten this title to DM, meaning Domestic Manager. Because "DM" is also widely understood as "direct message," it's usually clearer to write the full title in job adverts.
6. Live-in House Help
A live-in house help resides at the employer's home.
Advantages
For employers:
Immediate availability during emergencies
No commuting delays
Easier scheduling
For employees:
Accommodation provided
Lower transport costs
More stable employment
7. Live-out House Help
A live-out house help travels to and from work daily.
This arrangement is popular in urban areas such as:
Kilimani
Westlands
Kileleshwa
South B
South C
Kasarani
Lang'ata
Ruaka
It suits employers who require assistance during standard working hours while allowing employees to return to their own homes each evening.
8. Babysitter
A babysitter provides temporary childcare rather than long-term employment.
Babysitters may be hired:
During evenings
On weekends
During school holidays
For special events
This role usually involves shorter shifts than a full-time nanny.
9. Cook
A domestic cook specializes in food preparation.
Responsibilities
Meal planning
Grocery lists
Cooking
Kitchen organization
Food safety
Stock management
Some households employ both a cook and a house help, especially in larger homes.
10. Cleaner
A cleaner focuses on cleaning tasks only.
Unlike a house help, cleaners generally do not:
Cook
Provide childcare
Perform laundry for a family
Manage household routines
Many cleaners work in:
Offices
Schools
Apartments
Commercial buildings
Residential homes on scheduled visits
11. Mother's Helper
A mother's helper supports parents rather than taking sole responsibility for children.
Typical duties include:
Holding babies while parents complete tasks
Assisting with feeding
Light housework
Organizing children's belongings
Helping during busy family routines
This role is particularly useful for families with newborns.
12. Personal Assistant (PA)
Some households employ a personal assistant instead of a traditional domestic worker.
Responsibilities may include:
Managing appointments
Paying bills
Shopping
Travel arrangements
Running errands
Administrative tasks
13. Governess
A governess focuses primarily on children's education rather than household chores.
Responsibilities may include:
Tutoring
Language development
Homework supervision
Reading programmes
Etiquette
Academic enrichment
This role is relatively uncommon in Kenya but may be found in high-income households.
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| Representative sample profiles of trained house helps, nannies and caregivers available through House Girls Village & Bureau for families in Westlands, Nairobi. |
Which Domestic Worker Do You Need?
| Your Main Need | Recommended Role |
|---|---|
| General household chores | House Help |
| Caring for babies and young children | Nanny |
| Elderly family member | Caregiver |
| Deep cleaning and organization | Housekeeper |
| Managing multiple staff | House Manager |
| Professional cooking | Cook |
| Temporary childcare | Babysitter |
| Administrative household support | Personal Assistant |
Can One Person Perform Multiple Roles?
Yes—many domestic workers in Kenya perform more than one role.
For example, a trained house help may also:
Care for school-age children
Prepare family meals
Handle laundry
Maintain household cleanliness
However, employers should avoid assigning too many responsibilities to one person, especially where specialist skills are required. Clearly discussing duties during recruitment helps prevent misunderstandings and supports a healthier working relationship.
Tips for Employers
Before hiring:
Identify your household's biggest need.
Write a clear job description.
Discuss duties before employment.
Agree on working hours and days off.
Offer fair pay based on responsibilities.
Verify references and previous experience.
Consider additional training where necessary.
Choosing the right title in your advertisement attracts applicants whose experience matches your expectations.
Tips for Job Seekers
Knowing your job title can improve your employment opportunities.
If you primarily care for children, market yourself as a nanny.
If you have experience supporting elderly people, present yourself as a caregiver.
If your strengths are cooking, cleaning, laundry, and household management, describe yourself as a house help or housekeeper, depending on your responsibilities.
Being clear about your skills helps employers understand the value you bring.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a nanny the same as a house help?
No. A nanny's primary responsibility is caring for children, while a house help focuses on general household duties and may only assist with childcare.
What is the difference between a housekeeper and a house help?
A housekeeper specializes in maintaining high standards of cleanliness and organization, while a house help usually performs a broader mix of household tasks, including laundry, cooking, and general assistance.
What does a house manager do?
A house manager oversees the daily operation of a household, supervises staff, coordinates maintenance and suppliers, and helps keep household activities running efficiently.
Can one domestic worker perform several duties?
Yes, provided the responsibilities are reasonable, clearly agreed upon, and matched with appropriate compensation and support.
Which domestic worker should I hire?
Choose based on your primary need. Families with young children may benefit most from a nanny, while those seeking general household assistance may be better served by a house help. Homes employing several domestic workers may also require a house manager to coordinate operations.
Final Thoughts
Every home is different, and so are its staffing needs. Understanding domestic worker job titles helps employers recruit the right person and helps job seekers present their experience more accurately.
At House Girls Village & Bureau, we help families across Kenya find trained house helps, experienced nannies, compassionate caregivers, reliable cooks, and other domestic professionals whose skills match each household's unique requirements.
Whether you are hiring for the first time or looking to advance your domestic work career, understanding these roles is the first step toward a successful and lasting employment relationship.
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Need to Hire a Domestic Worker?
House Girls Village & Bureau connects families with carefully screened:
House Helps
Nannies
Caregivers
Cooks
Housekeepers
Live-in and Live-out Domestic Workers
📱 Hire a Domestic Worker: WhatsApp 0726 699 446
📱 Looking for a Domestic Work Opportunity? Contact us on WhatsApp 0726 699 446 to learn about available opportunities and recruitment guidance.
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