Read before you sign
An offer letter is exciting, but the contract decides your security. It sets how you can leave and how the employer can end things. A few minutes of careful reading can save months of trouble.
Know your contract type
Kenyan contracts usually fall into a few types.
- Permanent. No end date. It ends through resignation, dismissal, redundancy or retirement.
- Fixed-term. Ends on a set date unless renewed. Common in NGOs and projects linked to grants.
- Casual. Paid by the day. The law offers some protections when casual work continues over time.
- Consultancy. Not employment. You invoice, pay your own tax and lose employee protections.
If you work fixed hours under supervision with the employer's equipment, you may be an employee, whatever the label says.
For fixed-term roles, ask about renewal history before you accept.
Probation
Most contracts begin with probation. During it, either side can end the contract with short notice. The law limits how long probation can last and how it can be extended. Your contract must state the period.
Notice periods
After probation, notice is the time either side must give to end the contract. The law sets minimums, and many contracts set longer periods. Know yours and state it accurately when applying elsewhere.
Some employers pay salary in place of notice. The contract and the employer decide whether that applies.
Clauses to read slowly
- Confidentiality. Standard and reasonable.
- Non-compete. Limits work for competitors after you leave. Do not assume it is meaningless.
- Bonding. Ties you to the employer after they pay for training. Check the repayment terms.
If a clause worries you, ask for it to be narrowed or seek advice.
Keep your own file
Store your contract, offer letter, payslips, appraisals and probation confirmation together. You will need them for loans, tax and any dispute.
A note on legal advice
This preview is general guidance, not legal advice. For a specific dispute, look to the Employment Act, the labour office or a qualified advocate. Unfair termination claims have time limits, so act promptly.
In the full lesson
- More detail on each contract type and the risk of misclassification
- How probation confirmation should work, and what to expect in writing
- How to resign properly, and what to do if you are terminated or made redundant
- How payment in lieu of notice works in practice