Michael Page Africa recruits all over the continent. Our easy to use guides give you the lowdown on living and working in selected countries in Central Africa.
Our quick reference guides have vital information on pay, benefits, tax and visas - everything you need to work and live in Kenya.
Working in Kenya
Pay & Benefits
There is no fixed minimum salary. The working week is 45 hours. There are a large number of international expatriates who work for non-profit agencies such as the U.N. and other affiliated agencies. Their pay is very high in relation to local living standards.
Taxes
The fiscal year starts the first of January and ends the 31st of December. The system of taxing employment income is called “PAYE” in Kenya. It is the duty of employers to deduct income tax from employees' pay. Individuals also have to declare any business, rental, interest, employment and commission income. The tax rate varies from 10 to 30%. The highest income group (30%) earns above 466.704 KHS.
Visas
A single journey entry visa is required by all persons intending to visit or live in Kenya. Regular visitors may be issued a multiple journey visa. This type of visa is approved by the Principal Immigration Office and is granted for 6 to 12 months. Possession of a Kenyan visa is not the final authority to enter the country - the immigration officer may deny access if the visitor is unable to fulfil immigration requirements. Citizens of the European Union, Japan, USA and Canada can obtain visas at the point of entry.
Living in Kenya
Why live in Kenya?
The most positive aspect of living here has to be the incredibly welcoming and kind people, followed by the gorgeous landscape. English is the official language but Swahili and many other dialects are spoken.
There is a well-established ex-pat community here and good International schools.
Medical
There are two referral hospitals in Kenya: Kenyatta National Hospital and Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital. Treatment may be expensive and payment in advance, in cash, is usually required, so you should get personal health insurance. If you are under treatment prior to departure, you should bring all medications and prescription drugs with you.
You should not drink local tap water or use it for brushing your teeth. Prior to departure, it is necessary to ensure that routine immunizations (e.g. tetanus, diphtheria, polio and measles) are up to date. Unlike in many other African countries, yellow fever and cholera vaccination certificates are not mandatory. Malaria treatment is essential.
Bank Accounts
People who want to import the equivalent of 5,000 USD or more must provide documentation stating the source and purpose of the funds.
There are no foreign exchange restrictions in Kenya, and major international credit cards are accepted in most places. Check the Visa or MasterCard ATM locator page to know whether there are any ATMs in Kenya and to check their location. Travellers' cheques are not widely accepted.
Banks are open from 9.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m. on weekdays and from 9.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. on the first and last Saturdays of the month. To open a bank account, photo ID, employer references, reference letters and proof of address may be required.
Finding a Property
It is better to start looking for a house or a flat after you arrive. Word-of-mouth is probably the best way to find available accommodation. Consulates might be able to help. Rents are not expensive compared to Western standards.
Travel
There are normally two rainy seasons in Kenya. From October to November, and from late March to mid-June, roads may become impracticable. If you want to drive your own car, you can use an international driving license. Renting a car will cost in the region of 55 Euros a day. It is not recommended to drive during at night.
Wilson airport, 11 Km from Nairobi, is the domestic airport and Kenya Airways (KQ) is the national airline. Useful information is available on the Kenya Guide Airline page.
Taxis: Although not inexpensive, they are probably the fastest and safest means of transport. You should confirm the fare before the trip. You can recognize taxis by the yellow line on each side. Taxi reservation here or call 020 444 60 96.
Public minibuses (matatus) are quite common for travelling to the suburbs, although the driving can be hazardous. The city bus service (City Hoppa) operates quite well too. Traffic jams occur frequently.
Railways are limited to the main cities of Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu.
Cost of Living
The currency is the Kenyan shilling (KSH). The exchange rate is 1 EUR = 120.57 (KSH) and 1 USD = 84.45 KSH (May 2011).
Kenya is a very popular with tourists, so the facilities are up to Western standards. Unfortunately, so are the prices. Overall, the inflation rate is rather high, with prices of food, non-alcoholic drinks, fuel and power all on the increase.
Nairobi has many eating establishments offering everything from fast food to haute cuisine and costing anything from 5 to 100 USD.
Here are some prices for common expenditures:
