Searching for talented employees to fill your open positions is challenging no matter where you are in the world. However, it can prove extra difficult to learn how to recruit and hire employees if you’re not familiar with the country’s different employment compliance laws.
If you are planning an expansion to Kenya, you’ll have to navigate this new employment landscape on top of running your parent company and handling day-to-day business. Instead, you can use our existing Kenya entity to work instead of setting up your own, which will help you stay compliant and save you time.
Recruiting in Kenya
Kenya, and Nairobi especially, is a growing business hub with several multinational companies. Many professionals directly search for a company and its open positions. It helps to have a specific employee available to answer cold calls and emails, as these measures could prove fruitful. You can also post open positions on online platforms including:
- BrighterMonday
- My JobMag
- PigiaMe
It’s also important to leverage the power of social media in your search. Many people use social media for information about jobs, so make sure you dedicate some of your recruitment efforts to these channels. Email marketing is another way to connect with potential candidates.
Laws against discrimination in Kenya
Hiring in Kenya is about more than finding the right employees — you also have to stay compliant throughout the process. The country’s constitution guarantees the right to equality, so companies cannot discriminate against someone based on race, color, sex, tribe, language, place of origin, or political opinion.
The Employment Act also prohibits discrimination based on pregnancy, mental status, and HIV status, and contains provisions on sexual harassment. Kenya’s employment laws are rapidly changing, so you should keep abreast of any updates to stay compliant.
Background checks
Common clearance and compliance certificates for employment in Kenya include certificates from the Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI), the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB), the Credit Reference Bureau (CRB), and the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC).
As of April 2022, an employer can only request relevant clearance certificates after providing a candidate with an offer of employment. If the certificates do not satisfy the employer’s clearance requirements, they can then withdraw the offer.
How to hire employees in Kenya
Kenya allows fixed- or indefinite-term employment contracts depending on the type of employment. However, all contracts should be in the employee’s local language and include information about benefits, termination requirements, compensation, and related factors. It’s also a good idea to put all monetary amounts in Kenyan shillings instead of any other currency.
Kenya employment laws
Kenya has employment compliance laws that apply to all new employees. Companies need to register all new hires with the local authorities if they do not have a Personal Identification Number (PIN), National Social Security Fund (NSSF), and National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) numbers. Then, employers have to provide every employee’s full name, bank details, and more.
If you hire international workers, Kenya has several different types of work permits you’ll need to secure to ensure legal employment in the country.
Onboarding in Kenya
Although onboarding can look different for every company, you can take certain steps to make the process more comfortable for employees. Try reviewing the employment contract and important documents with new hires during their first day or week to make sure both parties agree to all the terms. Then, you can create a training program that will help employees succeed in their new positions.
Grow globally with G-P.
G-P never forgets that behind every hire is a human being. That’s why we’ve backed our fully customizable suite of global employment products with our robust team of HR and legal experts, so we can remain at your side, ready to support you as you build your global teams. With the #1 global employment platform, you have the recruitment tools and services you need to find your perfect full-time or contract match.
Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you recruit, hire, and onboard anyone, anywhere.