Employer of Record
Services in Kenya
Deploy your Kenya team within 48 hours — no company incorporation required. Two Max Group is your Nairobi-based legal employer, managing contracts, PAYE, NSSF, SHIF, and Housing Levy while you direct the work.
Why Companies Choose Kenya for Their East Africa Operations
Hire Kenyan Staff Before
Your Company Is Registered
Kenya is East Africa's largest economy and its foremost technology hub — the "Silicon Savannah". With a working-age population of 30 million, the second-highest English proficiency in Africa, and GDP growth of ~6% in 2026, the country attracts foreign companies at pace. The problem: getting legally operational takes time.
Kenya company incorporation under the Companies Act, 2015 involves the eCitizen portal, name reservation, certificate of incorporation, KRA PIN registration, and NSSF and SHIF employer setup — typically 8–12 weeks in total before you can run a single legal payslip.
Employer of record services in Kenya remove that delay. Two Max Group employs your staff under our registered Nairobi entity. You interview, select, and manage your team — we issue the contracts, run the payroll, handle all statutory deductions, and manage HR compliance from day one.
When your own Kenyan entity is ready, we transfer the staff — contract novation, NSSF and KRA updates, payroll continuity — with no disruption to employees or their employment records.
No Setup Fee
There is no initial fee to engage our EOR service. You begin hiring immediately — we absorb all employer registration costs.
48-Hour Staff Deployment
Employment contracts issued, NSSF/SHIF registered, and KRA PAYE activated within two business days of your confirmation.
Full Employment Act Compliance
Every EOR contract meets all statutory requirements under Employment Act Cap 226 — including all 18 particulars under section 10.
Payroll Managed — No Extra Cost
PAYE, NSSF, SHIF, Housing Levy, payslips, and annual P10 filing are included in your EOR retainer. Not billed separately.
Transfer to Your Own Entity
We manage the complete staff transition when your Kenya company is ready — contract novation, statutory transfers, and payroll continuity.
IHRM Certified Consultants
Your dedicated HR consultant holds IHRM certification and operates under Kenya employment law. Available daily by phone, email, and WhatsApp.
EOR or Register a Kenya Entity?
A Clear Comparison
The right choice depends on your headcount, timeline, and growth stage. Employer of record services in Kenya are typically faster and more cost-effective for companies with fewer than 20 staff.
| Factor | EOR — Two Max Group | Local Entity (Self-Managed) |
|---|---|---|
| Time to First Hire | 48 hours | 8–12 weeks |
| Initial Setup Cost | KES 0 | KES 50,000–150,000+ |
| Monthly HR/Payroll/Compliance | One fixed retainer — included | KES 120,000–300,000+ extra |
| PAYE, NSSF & SHIF Filing | Fully managed by us | Direct employer liability |
| Kenya Labour Law Expertise | Provided by our team | Must hire or outsource locally |
| Work Permit Management | Included in service | Separate process — your cost |
| Entity Registration Needed | No | Yes — eCitizen process |
| Transition to Own Company | We manage the full transfer | N/A |
| Ideal For | 1–20 staff, market pilots, fast entry | 20+ permanent staff, regulated ops |
For companies hiring fewer than 15 staff in Kenya, EOR is almost always more cost-effective than entity registration. Above 20 permanent employees, a dedicated entity may offer better unit economics.
Every Statutory Obligation in Kenya
Managed on Your Behalf
From PAYE and NSSF to maternity leave and redundancy pay — every employer obligation under Kenya law, handled by our IHRM-certified team.
Statutory Contributions — Kenya 2026
| Item | Employer | Employee |
|---|---|---|
| PAYE Income Tax | — | 10–35% (progressive) |
| NSSF (from Feb 2026) | Up to KES 6,480/mo | Up to KES 6,480/mo |
| SHIF (replaced NHIF Oct 2024) | — | 2.75% of gross salary |
| Affordable Housing Levy | 1.5% of gross | 1.5% of gross |
| NITA Levy | Where applicable | — |
Leave & Employment Terms — Kenya
| Category | Statutory Requirement |
|---|---|
| Annual Leave | 21 working days after 12 months |
| Maternity Leave | 90 days — fully paid |
| Paternity Leave | 14 days — fully paid |
| Sick Leave | 30 days per year |
| Public Holidays | 12–13 per year |
| Probation Period | Up to 6 months (extendable to 12) |
| Minimum Notice Period | 28 days — monthly-paid employees |
| Redundancy Severance | 15 days' pay per completed year |
| Overtime Rate | 1.5× weekdays · 2× Sundays & public holidays |
| Minimum Wage (Urban) | KES 16,114/month (General Workers) |
2026 Compliance Update
NSSF Tier II employer and employee contributions increased to up to KES 6,480/month each effective February 2026 (NSSF Act, Year 4 rates). SHIF replaced NHIF in October 2024 under the Social Health Insurance Act 2023 — all Two Max Group client payrolls were updated at transition date with zero disruption.
Complete Employer of Record Services
Managed End-to-End
Every aspect of legal employment in Kenya — from onboarding paperwork to statutory filings to HR advisory — handled by our IHRM-certified team.
No Entity Required
Staff Deployment in 48 Hours
From engagement confirmation to signed employment contracts, NSSF, and SHIF registration — your Kenya team is legally employed within 48 hours.
- Employment contracts per Employment Act Cap 226, s.10
- NSSF, SHIF, Housing Levy activated immediately
- KRA PAYE registration handled by us
- You manage the work — we own the employment
Employment Act Cap 226
Kenya-Compliant Employment Contracts
Every staff member receives a written contract meeting all 18 statutory particulars under s.10 of the Employment Act, tailored to their role and salary.
- All statutory particulars required under s.10
- Probation clauses up to 6 months (extendable to 12)
- Notice periods at or above statutory minimum (28 days)
- IP assignment and lawful non-compete clauses
PAYE · NSSF · SHIF · AHL
Full Statutory Payroll Compliance
Every statutory deduction and employer contribution managed monthly — filed on KRA iTax by the 9th, every month, with zero late submissions on record.
- PAYE filed on KRA iTax by 9th of each month
- NSSF Tier I & II — up to KES 6,480/month (Feb 2026 rates)
- SHIF at 2.75% gross — updated from NHIF, October 2024
- Affordable Housing Levy 1.5% employer-matched
Class G · Special Pass
Work Permits & Immigration
Foreign national employees require valid work authorisation. We manage applications, track expiry dates, and initiate renewals 90 days before lapse.
- Class G work permits — application through renewal
- Special Pass for short-term assignments (up to 3 months)
- Dependent Pass for spouse and children
- 90-day advance renewal process — no lapsed permits
HR Advisory · On Demand
Employment Relations & HR Support
A dedicated IHRM-certified consultant available daily by phone, email, and WhatsApp — from performance management to disciplinary procedures.
- Disciplinary procedures per Employment Act
- Leave management — annual, maternity, paternity, sick
- Termination — substantive and procedural fairness
- Severance at 15 days' pay per year of service
Data Protection Act 2019
Employee Records & Data Compliance
All employee data managed under Kenya's Data Protection Act 2019, with ODPC-compliant systems and GDPR-aligned handling for international clients.
- Secure employee data storage — ODPC compliant
- Right to work documentation verified at onboarding
- Employment records retained per statutory requirements
- GDPR-aligned handling for EU/UK-headquartered clients
Why Two Max Group for
Employer of Record in Kenya?
Most global EOR platforms sub-contract Kenyan employment to local partner agencies. Two Max Group is a Nairobi-incorporated company operating since 2011. Your staff are employed directly by a Kenya-registered entity — with full accountability, no intermediaries, and 15 years of Employment Act compliance practice.
A Nairobi Entity — Not a Sub-Agent
Most global EOR platforms sub-contract Kenya employment to local partner organisations. Two Max Group is incorporated in Nairobi and has been since 2011. Your staff are employed by a Kenya-registered company — with direct accountability, not a pass-through arrangement.
Hire Before Your Entity Is Ready
Kenya company incorporation through the eCitizen portal takes 8–12 weeks from start to first payroll. Two Max Group removes that delay entirely. Your staff are employed and compliant within 48 hours.
One Fixed Monthly Cost — Nothing Hidden
Our EOR fee is a transparent fixed monthly retainer per employee. No per-action charges, no hidden payroll processing fees, no surprise invoices. Employment, payroll, statutory filings, and HR advisory — one price.
Payroll Is Included — Not an Upsell
Full payroll management — PAYE, NSSF, SHIF, Housing Levy, payslips, and annual P10 filing — is built into every EOR engagement. Not a separate module, not billed additionally.
Structured Exit to Your Own Company
When you incorporate a Kenyan entity, Two Max Group manages the full staff transfer: contract novation, KRA and NSSF updates, payroll continuity. No disruption to employees, no break in statutory filings.
Zero Statutory Penalties — 15 Years Running
Since 2011, every KRA PAYE filing made on time. Every NSSF remittance current. No Employment Court matters arising from our employer obligations. 100% compliance rate across all client engagements.
Reviewed by Two Max Group Advisory Team
IHRM Certified HR Consultants · Kenya employment law practice since 2011 · Zero statutory penalties on record
Estimate Your Kenya EOR
Monthly Employment Cost
Adjust the sliders to estimate your total monthly cost — including gross salary, Kenya statutory employer contributions, and the Two Max Group management fee.
Cost Estimator
EOR & Payroll | Kenya
*Gross salary before employee-side taxes (PAYE, NSSF employee portion).
Monthly Cost Breakdown
⚠ Important Notes on Calculations
- Employer Burden: Includes NSSF (Tier II), SHIF (2.75%), and Housing Levy (1.5%). Rates may vary slightly based on specific salary brackets and the 2026 finance act updates.
- Currency: Calculations are in USD. Local disbursements occur in KES at prevailing mid-market exchange rates.
- Exclusions: This estimate does not include optional benefits (e.g., Private Medical Insurance, Pension enhancements) or one-time equipment procurement costs.
How to Start Employer of Record
Services in Kenya
Discovery Call
Tell us who you need to hire — roles, salary range, and your timeline. A Senior Advisory Director responds within 24 hours with a tailored EOR proposal for Kenya.
Contracts & Statutory Setup
We issue Employment Act-compliant contracts and register each employee with NSSF, SHIF, and KRA PAYE. Staff are legally employed and operational within 48 hours.
Ongoing Managed Employment
Monthly payroll runs, KRA filing by the 9th, NSSF and SHIF remittances, HR advisory on demand, and work permit tracking — all managed by your dedicated consultant.
How Companies Use Kenya EOR
with Two Max Group
Anonymised examples of how foreign companies deployed staff in Kenya through employer of record services — without registering a local entity.
Challenge
A Series B software company needed 6 Nairobi engineers employed before an investor milestone. Their Kenya entity paperwork was 6 weeks from completion.
Outcome
6 staff employed, contracted, and NSSF/SHIF registered within 48 hours. Entity transition completed 8 weeks later — no payroll gap, no compliance risk.
Challenge
12 field programme officers required within the grant activation window. No Kenyan entity existed and donor disbursement was tied to proof of staff deployment.
Outcome
12 staff deployed across 3 counties within 5 business days. Payroll reporting formatted to align with donor reporting cycles from month one.
Challenge
A European manufacturer needed 4 senior Kenya managers employed immediately while the subsidiary awaited its Certificate of Incorporation.
Outcome
All 4 managers on payroll under EOR from day one. Transferred to the new entity on incorporation — continuous employment, no statutory disruption.
EOR Across Every Sector
in Kenya
From tech startups entering Nairobi's Silicon Savannah to international NGOs managing field teams — our employer of record services in Kenya adapt to your industry and employment model.
Technology & SaaS Companies
Silicon Savannah Nairobi talent
International NGOs
Largest EOR sector in Kenya
Fintech & Financial Services
M-Pesa & payments ecosystem
Multinationals & Foreign Companies
Fast market entry — no entity
Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals
Regulated sector compliance
Manufacturing & Logistics
East Africa supply chain
Professional Services & Consulting
Contract & permanent roles
Startups & VC-Backed Companies
Lean setup, full compliance
Employer of Record
Kenya — Questions
Common questions from foreign companies considering employer of record services in Kenya. Updated June 2026.
Reviewed by Two Max Group Advisory Team
IHRM Certified HR Consultants · Kenya practice since 2011
Employer of record services in Kenya allow a foreign or local company to legally employ staff without registering their own entity. Two Max Group, as your Employer of Record (EOR), signs the employment contracts, runs payroll, handles PAYE, NSSF, SHIF, and Housing Levy, and remains legally responsible for employment compliance — while you direct the day-to-day work.
Ready to Deploy Staff in Kenya
Without an Entity?
A Senior Advisory Director responds within 24 hours with a tailored EOR proposal. Tell us the roles, headcount, salary range, and your timeline.
Visit our Advisory Hub in Nairobi
Located at the strategic gateway of Mombasa Road, our headquarters serves as the central node for compliance and HR operations across East Africa.
Mombasa Road, Nairobi