Hiring domestic staff in Nairobi can be straightforward when an employer knows what to look for. However, for UN personnel, embassy staff, high commission employees, diplomats and other international professionals, household recruitment often requires a more careful approach.
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| A domestic worker in a Nairobi household preparing to work professionally in an international or diplomatic home, with emphasis on safety, training and household responsibilities. |
A diplomatic or international household may need a nanny, housekeeper, cook, caregiver, cleaner or experienced domestic manager. The right person needs more than availability. Depending on the household, employers may also need someone with childcare experience, good references, strong household skills, discretion, emergency awareness and an understanding of professional boundaries.
The United Nations Office at Nairobi provides an orientation programme for newly arrived personnel and their dependants covering life in Kenya, including safety, housing, transportation and other practical matters. UN Nairobi also has a Human Resources Management Service that handles recruitment, contractual management, staff administration and training for UN clients.
For private household employment, however, the individual employer still needs to take care of the domestic staffing arrangement.
This guide explains how international employers in Nairobi can approach domestic worker recruitment, vetting, training, salaries, household security and employment arrangements.
Who Is This Guide For?
This guide is relevant to people working or living in Nairobi's international and diplomatic community, including:
UN personnel and their families
Staff of UN agencies and other international organisations
Foreign embassy employees
High commission staff
Diplomats and diplomatic personnel
Expatriate professionals
International NGO staff
Families living in diplomatic or international residential areas
Employers relocating to Nairobi who need household staff
It can also help administrators, personal assistants and household managers who assist international employers with finding domestic workers.
What Domestic Staff Can International Households Hire?
There is no single type of domestic worker suitable for every household. The position should be matched to the actual duties.
Nannies
A nanny may be responsible for childcare, school preparation, children's meals, routines and supervision.
For households with babies or young children, previous childcare experience is particularly important. Employers may also prefer candidates with first-aid knowledge or additional childcare training.
Housekeepers
A housekeeper may handle cleaning, laundry, ironing, household organisation and other routine domestic duties.
For a larger residence, the employer may need someone who can organise several household tasks and coordinate with other workers.
Cooks
Some international households require a domestic worker who can prepare everyday Kenyan meals as well as international dishes.
Employers should explain dietary requirements, allergies and cooking expectations before hiring.
Caregivers
A caregiver may be required to assist an elderly person, a person recovering from illness or someone with particular care needs.
Where specialised care is required, employers should look for appropriate experience and qualifications rather than treating general housekeeping experience as sufficient.
Cleaners
Some households employ a dedicated cleaner, particularly where cleaning requirements are extensive or several other domestic workers are already employed.
Domestic Managers
Larger residences may benefit from an experienced domestic manager who can coordinate household duties, supplies, schedules and other staff.
The more responsibility attached to a position, the more important experience, references and clear employment terms become.
How to Safely Hire Domestic Workers in Nairobi
A good domestic staffing process starts before the interview.
The employer should first decide exactly what the household needs.
Ask:
What position is being filled?
Is the worker live-in or live-out?
What duties will be performed?
What experience is required?
Are there children in the household?
Is cooking required?
Is elderly or specialised care involved?
What working hours are expected?
What salary and benefits are being offered?
What security and confidentiality requirements apply?
A clear job description helps prevent misunderstandings later.
1. Verify Identity
Employers should establish who they are hiring and keep appropriate employment records.
For international households, this is particularly important because domestic workers may have regular access to the home, household members and personal information.
Verification should include appropriate identification and contact information.
UN Kenya's orientation material specifically advises staff employing local domestic help to maintain identification and contact information for the people they employ.
2. Check Previous Employment
Do not rely only on what a candidate says during an interview.
Where possible, contact previous employers and ask practical questions:
How long did the worker stay?
What duties did they perform?
Were they reliable?
Did they work well with children?
Why did the employment end?
Would the former employer consider hiring them again?
References should be genuine and independently verified where possible.
3. Check Relevant Skills
A candidate who is an excellent housekeeper may not necessarily be the right person to care for an infant.
Likewise, an experienced nanny may not be an experienced cook.
Match the worker's demonstrated experience to the household's actual requirements.
4. Interview More Than One Candidate
Where possible, compare several suitable candidates rather than hiring the first available person.
A good interview should cover both technical skills and practical expectations.
For example:
“What would you do if a child started choking?”
“How would you respond if there was a fire in the house?”
“What would you do if an unfamiliar person arrived at the gate claiming to know the employer?”
Practical questions can reveal how a candidate thinks about safety and responsibility.
Training Domestic Staff for Diplomatic and International Households
Hiring an experienced domestic worker is only part of the process.
Every household has its own routines, security arrangements, appliances, expectations and emergency procedures. A new employee should therefore receive proper orientation after joining the household.
Household Safety Training
Domestic staff should understand:
Safe use of household appliances
Cleaning-product safety
Fire procedures
Emergency contacts
Safe storage of chemicals
Basic accident prevention
What to do when something goes wrong
Childcare and Safeguarding
For nannies and workers responsible for children, employers should establish clear expectations around:
Supervision
Feeding
Hygiene
School routines
Safe transportation
Visitors
Discipline
Emergency situations
Child safeguarding
Where a child has medical, developmental or dietary needs, the worker should receive clear instructions from the parents or appropriate professional.
First Aid and Emergency Awareness
First-aid training can be especially useful for domestic workers responsible for children, elderly people or vulnerable household members.
Employers can consider training in areas such as:
Choking response
Basic first aid
Burns
Falls
Cuts
Loss of consciousness
Emergency communication
Fire response
The exact training required should depend on the responsibilities of the position.
Household Security
Security should be explained clearly rather than assumed.
A worker may need to know:
How the gate operates
Who is authorised to enter
How deliveries are handled
What to do when a contractor arrives
Where emergency numbers are kept
What to do if an alarm is activated
Who should be contacted during an emergency
Which household information should remain private
The objective is not to make a domestic worker feel distrusted. It is to ensure that everyone in the household understands the same procedures.
Confidentiality Matters in International Households
Domestic workers can sometimes see information that ordinary visitors never see.
This can include:
Travel plans
Passports and personal documents
Children's schedules
Visitors
Household routines
Private conversations
Personal correspondence
Security arrangements
Employers should therefore explain confidentiality expectations from the beginning.
Workers should understand that household information should not be casually shared with friends, neighbours or on social media.
At the same time, confidentiality should not be used to remove a worker's lawful rights or prevent them from seeking legitimate assistance when necessary.
The relationship should be based on professional boundaries and mutual respect.
How Much Should Domestic Staff Earn in Nairobi?
There is no single UN or embassy salary scale for privately employed domestic workers in Nairobi.
The salary should depend on the position, experience, workload, working arrangement and skills required.
For international and diplomatic households looking for experienced domestic staff, a practical budgeting range can be around:
KSh 25,000 to KSh 40,000 per month
This should be treated as an indicative market range rather than an official UN, embassy or government salary scale.
A less experienced worker with ordinary household duties may fall toward the lower end, while a highly experienced nanny, cook, caregiver, housekeeper or domestic manager with additional responsibilities may command more.
Factors that can affect the package include:
Years of relevant experience
Number and age of children
Cooking responsibilities
Specialised caregiving
Household size
Live-in or live-out arrangement
Working hours
Additional responsibilities
Required skills
Experience with international households
First-aid or other relevant training
Employers should also consider applicable Kenyan employment requirements rather than looking at salary alone.
Live-In or Live-Out Domestic Staff?
International employers in Nairobi may choose either arrangement.
Live-In Domestic Staff
A live-in worker resides in the employer's household.
This can be convenient for households requiring regular domestic support, but employers should establish clear boundaries between working time and private/rest time.
Accommodation arrangements should also be discussed before employment begins.
Live-Out Domestic Staff
A live-out worker travels to and from the employer's home.
This arrangement can provide greater separation between employment and private life, but employers need to agree clearly on arrival times, departure times, transport considerations and working hours.
Neither arrangement is automatically better. The right choice depends on the household's needs and the worker's circumstances.
Employment Contracts Matter
International employers should not treat domestic employment as an informal arrangement simply because the worker is employed privately.
Kenya's Employment Act provides requirements concerning contracts and employment particulars. For qualifying employment relationships of three months or more, the contract should be in writing and include important information such as the job description, place of work, working hours, remuneration and other employment terms.
The Act also provides for minimum employment conditions, including at least one rest day in every seven-day period and annual leave of at least 21 working days after each 12 months of continuous service.
A written agreement should clearly address matters such as:
Job title
Duties
Salary
Payment schedule
Working hours
Rest days
Leave
Place of work
Accommodation where applicable
Notice requirements
Other agreed benefits
Employers should obtain professional legal or labour advice where their circumstances are unusual, particularly where diplomatic status, immigration issues or other special arrangements are involved.
What International Employers Should Not Do
A professional domestic staffing relationship protects both the household and the worker.
Employers should avoid:
Hiring Without Checking References
A recommendation from a friend is not the same as a proper employment reference.
Giving Excessive Duties Without Discussion
A nanny, cook and cleaner are different roles. If one worker is expected to perform all three, the duties and compensation should be discussed clearly.
Keeping Employment Terms Verbal
Important agreements should be documented.
Ignoring Rest and Leave
Domestic workers are employees, not permanently available household resources.
Kenyan employment law provides minimum conditions that employers should understand and observe.
Failing to Explain Security Procedures
Never assume a new worker automatically understands the household's security arrangements.
Hiring Solely Because Someone Is Cheap
The lowest salary is not necessarily the lowest overall cost.
A worker who lacks the required experience may create problems that cost the household more in the long run.
Why Use a Domestic Staffing Bureau?
For a busy UN professional, diplomat, embassy employee or international family arriving in Nairobi, finding a suitable domestic worker can take considerable time.
The challenge is not simply finding someone who is available.
The employer needs to find someone whose:
Experience matches the position
References can be checked
Skills match the household
Availability fits the employer
Expectations are realistic
Personality is suitable for the household
Employment terms can be clearly established
This is where a specialist domestic staffing bureau can help.
How House Girls Village & Bureau Can Help
At House Girls Village & Bureau, we assist households in Nairobi looking for domestic workers including house helps, nannies, caregivers, cleaners, cooks and other domestic staff.
Our approach is based on understanding what the employer actually needs before recommending candidates.
For an international or diplomatic household, this can include discussing:
The type of domestic worker required
The household's duties and expectations
Live-in or live-out requirements
Required experience
Childcare or caregiving needs
Cooking and housekeeping requirements
References and candidate verification
Interview arrangements
Employment expectations
Placement and follow-up
We understand that a household employing domestic staff needs more than a name and a phone number.
It needs a suitable person for the actual job.
Our Nairobi-based bureau works with employers looking for domestic workers across areas including Karen, Runda, Muthaiga, Kitisuru, Loresho, Spring Valley, Lavington, Gigiri, Kileleshwa, Westlands, Riverside, Kilimani and surrounding areas.
If you are an international professional, UN staff member, embassy or high commission employee, or an expatriate family looking for domestic staff in Nairobi, we can help you begin the recruitment process.
A Practical Hiring Checklist for UN and Diplomatic Employers
Before a domestic worker starts, the employer should be able to answer “yes” to the following:
☐ Have we clearly defined the position?
☐ Have we decided whether it is live-in or live-out?
☐ Have we agreed on the main duties?
☐ Have we checked the candidate's identity?
☐ Have we contacted previous employers or references?
☐ Have we assessed the candidate's relevant skills?
☐ Have we agreed on salary and other employment terms?
☐ Have we discussed working hours and rest days?
☐ Have we prepared appropriate employment documentation?
☐ Have we explained household security procedures?
☐ Have we explained confidentiality expectations?
☐ Have we provided appropriate household orientation?
☐ Have we agreed on emergency contacts?
☐ Have we explained childcare or caregiving responsibilities where relevant?
A careful process at the beginning can prevent many problems later.
Final Advice for International Employers in Nairobi
For UN personnel, diplomats, embassy employees and other international professionals, hiring domestic staff should be approached as a professional employment decision, not simply as finding someone to clean the house.
Start with a clear job description. Check identity and references. Match experience to responsibilities. Discuss salary and working conditions openly. Put important employment terms in writing. Give the worker proper orientation when they start.
For households with children, elderly people or other vulnerable members, consider additional training in childcare, caregiving, first aid and emergency response.
And for households with particular security or confidentiality requirements, make those expectations clear from the beginning.
A good domestic staffing arrangement works both ways: the employer gets dependable household support, while the domestic worker gets clear duties, fair treatment and a professional working relationship.
House Girls Village & Bureau helps households in Nairobi find and place domestic workers including house helps, nannies, caregivers, cleaners and cooks. If you are looking for domestic staff for a UN, diplomatic, expatriate or international household in Nairobi, contact us to discuss your requirements.
Key Takeaways
UN staff, diplomats and international families in Nairobi may require different types of domestic staff.
Vetting should include identity checks, employment history and references.
Training should cover the duties relevant to the particular household.
Household security and confidentiality should be explained clearly.
A practical salary budget for experienced domestic staff can be around KSh 25,000–40,000 per month, depending on experience, duties and workload.
This is an indicative market range, not an official UN or embassy salary scale.
Employment terms should be clearly documented and consistent with applicable Kenyan requirements.
A specialist domestic staffing bureau can help employers identify and match suitable candidates.
House Girls Village & Bureau provides domestic-worker placement services to households in Nairobi.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a domestic worker earn in an international household in Nairobi?
An experienced domestic worker in an international household may earn approximately KSh 25,000 to KSh 40,000 per month, depending on experience, duties, workload and skills. This is an indicative range rather than an official UN or embassy salary scale.
Can UN staff hire domestic workers privately in Nairobi?
Yes, UN personnel may employ local domestic help privately, subject to the applicable employment requirements and their own organisational rules. UN Nairobi's staff orientation materials provide guidance on employing local domestic help in Kenya.
What domestic workers can a diplomatic household hire?
Depending on its needs, a household can hire a nanny, housekeeper, cook, caregiver, cleaner or domestic manager.
Should domestic workers for diplomatic households be trained?
Training or orientation should match the job. Important areas can include childcare, first aid, household safety, emergency procedures, security awareness, cooking and housekeeping.
Should an employer check a domestic worker's references?
Yes. Previous employment references can provide useful information about experience, reliability, duties performed and reasons for leaving previous employment.
Should domestic workers have a written contract?
For qualifying employment relationships, Kenyan law requires a written contract and employment particulars. Employers should ensure that the arrangement is properly documented.
Does live-in employment mean a worker is available all the time?
No. Live-in accommodation does not mean an employee has no rest or private time. Kenyan employment law provides minimum rest and leave protections.
Can House Girls Village help an expatriate or UN staff member find domestic staff in Nairobi?
Yes. House Girls Village & Bureau assists Nairobi households looking for house helps, nannies, caregivers, cleaners, cooks and other domestic workers, including households with international or expatriate requirements.
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