Jobs in Kenya
The complete guide to finding work in Kenya — where to look, how to apply, and what employers actually want.
Finding a job in Kenya in 2026
The Kenyan job market rewards speed, specificity, and networks. Roles at major employers — Safaricom, KCB, Equity, county governments, and the growing tech sector — typically close applications within two weeks of posting. If you wait, you lose the slot.
This guide walks you through where to actually look, how to apply, and the small moves that separate candidates who get interviews from those who get silence.
Where to look
- Weraiko — aggregated listings across tech, business, health, transport, and security. Updated daily; jobs expire after 21 days.
- Company career pages — Safaricom, KCB, Equity, EABL, and most multinationals post here first.
- LinkedIn — the primary channel for mid-to-senior roles in Nairobi.
- Government portals — the Public Service Commission and individual counties publish on their own sites.
- Referrals — the most underrated channel. Most professional roles in Kenya are filled through someone already inside the company.
How to apply well
Target the CV
Read the job ad twice. Underline every specific skill, tool, or qualification. Every one of those terms must appear in your CV at least once. A generic CV sent to 50 employers reads differently from one tailored to a single role — recruiters notice.
Write a real cover letter
Three paragraphs. First: who you are and the exact role. Second: two or three concrete achievements matching the JD. Third: a short line on why this company. No templates, no "I am writing to apply for…".
Follow the submission instructions
If the ad says "send to hr@company.co.ke with subject line Application for Sales Executive", do exactly that. Recruiters filter by subject line.
What employers screen for
- Evidence over claims. "Increased sales by 32%" beats "responsible for sales growth".
- Role relevance. Two years in a related job beats ten years in an unrelated one.
- Follow-through. Complete applications, submitted on time. Half of applicants miss something.
After you apply
Give it five working days. If you haven't heard back, one polite follow-up is fine. Then move on. Keep two or three active applications in flight at all times.
Related guides
Next, read how to write a CV that gets interviews, how to prepare for interviews in Kenya, and how to negotiate your salary.
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