Forced Labour

This page was last updated on: 2023-05-02

Prohibition on Forced and Compulsory Labour

The Constitution of Kenya prohibits forced labour. The Employment Act defines forced and compulsory labour as any work or service which is extracted from any person under the threat of any penalty, including the threat of a loss of rights or privileges, which is not offered voluntarily by the person doing the work or performing the service.

The Act prohibits all forms of forced or compulsory labour. A person who contravenes the provisions of this section commits an offence and shall, on conviction be liable to a fine of at least 500,000 shillings or to imprisonment for a term of at least two years or both.

Source: §30 of the Constitution of Kenya 2010; §2 & 4 of the Employment Act 2007

Freedom to Change Jobs and Right to Quit

Workers have the right to change jobs after serving due notice on their employer. For more information, please refer to the section on employment security.  

Source: §35-36 of Employment Act 2007

Inhumane Working Conditions

The normal weekly working hours are 52 hours per week. Inclusive of overtime, the weekly working hours can be extended to 58 hours per week (116 hours over a two week period). For more information, please refer to the section on compensation. 

Regulations on Forced Labour

  • Employment Act, 2007

Loading...