REPORT: How Much Nairobi Caretakers Earn Compared To Other Kenyan Cities
According to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics’ (KNBS) most recent income and earnings data, caretakers are among the highest-paid domestic and general laborers.
According to the KNBS Statistical Abstract 2025, the minimum gazetted monthly basic wage for caretakers in major cities is Ksh 33,416.8, which is significantly higher than the wages of the majority of household-based domestic workers in 2024.
Caretakers working in former municipalities and town councils like Ruiru, Mavoko, and Limuru earned an average monthly basic minimum pay of Ksh 31,203.5.
In other municipalities, KNBS data reveal that caregivers earned an average gazetted monthly basic minimum salary of KSh 29,068.7.
H.E. Nathif Jama hosted @KNBStats at the launch of the @_GarissaCounty 2024 Statistical Abstract (CSA), becoming the 10th County to launch a 2nd generation CSA. Visit https://t.co/AIxuCPuXB6 for more on CSAs @KeTreasury @KenyaGovernors @Nathif_J_Adam @KIPPRAKENYA @UNICEFKenya pic.twitter.com/AkWTEciT4L
— KNBStats (@KNBStats) December 3, 2025
It is worth noting that the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection defines a caretaker as someone who is responsible for the upkeep of a building.
This distinguishes them from security guards, whose primary responsibility is to provide security.
With this in mind, the basic wage for a watchman in Nairobi in 2024 was Ksh 16,113.8, whereas in other large cities, watchmen earned an average of Ksh 14,866.9, minus housing allowance.
In all other towns, security guards made Ksh 8,596.5.
Wages for other domestic workers differed significantly from those for caregivers.
Labourers, including cleaners, sweepers, gardeners and other house servants, have significantly lower earnings as they make an average monthly of Ksh 16,113, excluding housing allowance.
ALSO READ:
- U.S. Embassy Issues Warning in Uganda Following Elections
- OUTRAGIOUS! 10 Nandi Hills Police Officers Viciously Attack Men Playing Pool
- Ruto CS Rules Out Resigning For Governor Seat Despite Strong Links
- Gov’t To Support Financially Struggling Super Athlete
- IG Kanja, IPOA Launch Investigations Into Viral Police Violence In Nandi
It gets lower in Municipalities and Town Councils, where general labourers earned Ksh 14,866.9 per month, while in other towns, the wage dropped sharply to Ksh 8,596.5.
KNBS data also showed the domestic worker sector employed 120,153 people in 2024 , suggesting that a substantial workforce depends on these jobs for a living.
The recorded total annual earnings in this sector rose to Ksh 42.5 billion in 2024 from Ksh 34.2 billion five years ago.
Earlier in the year, KNBS released data showing that employees of foreign non-governmental and multilateral agencies, like the United Nations, were the highest-paid private sector workers in Kenya.
REPORT: How Much Nairobi Caretakers Earn Compared To Other Kenyan Cities
