Overtime and Break Laws in Kenya (2026)
Employment Act 2007 (s. 27) and Regulation of Wages (General) Order, 1982 · Reviewed 2026-10 · Private-sector employees
Overtime
Normal hours are 52 a week (60 for night workers). Overtime pays 1.5x, and rest day or public holiday work pays 2x.
Breaks and lunch
No general statutory meal or rest break found for adults.
Overtime in Kenya
- 1.5x pay for hours past 52 in a week.
- Work on a normal rest day or public holiday pays 2x the normal hourly rate.
- Normal plus overtime hours may not exceed 116 in any 2 consecutive weeks (144 for night workers).
- For monthly-paid workers the hourly rate is 1/225 of the basic monthly wage.
- There is no statutory night work premium.
- Many sector wage orders and collective agreements set different hours.
What two weeks of work come to
Worked out by the rule above (1.5x after 52h in a week). Hours.
| Two weeks of | Regular | Overtime (1.5x) |
|---|---|---|
| 5 days of 8 hours, two weeks (80h) | 80 | 0 |
| 5 days of 10 hours, two weeks (100h) | 100 | 0 |
| 6 days of 9 hours, two weeks (108h) | 104 | 4 |
| 50 hours, then 30 hours (80h) | 80 | 0 |
Breaks and lunch in Kenya
The law does not set a break of a fixed length for adult employees here.
- One rest day a week; rest days may be deferred by agreement up to 14 days.
- Workers under 16 limited to 6 hours a day.
Pay by Kenya rules in Kloqk
Kloqk is a free time clock. In Settings, open Payroll, press Rules by country and pick Kenya: the overtime and break rules above fill in, and every timesheet, report and payroll export follows them. Change any number to match your own contract.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the overtime rule in Kenya?
Normal hours are 52 a week (60 for night workers). Overtime pays 1.5x, and rest day or public holiday work pays 2x.
What breaks are required in Kenya?
No general statutory meal or rest break found for adults.