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Stress-free Guide for Hiring a Reliable Househelp in Kenya
Introduction
When Mary, a young mother in Nairobi, decided to return to work after maternity leave, her biggest worry wasn’t the office workload it was hiring a reliable house help in Kenya. She had heard the horror stories: unverified maids disappearing without notice, babysitters lacking basic childcare skills, and dayburgs skipping agreed schedules. But Mary’s story ended differently she found a vetted nanny through Thoonjo Errand Runners, a Kenyan platform that connects households with trusted service providers, from babysitters to house managers.
For busy families, hiring a reliable house help in Kenya is not just about cleaning it’s about building trust, ensuring safety, and finding someone who can blend seamlessly into your home.
Why the Right Domestic Worker Changes Everything
A dependable domestic worker isn’t just a helping hand — they’re a household partner. Whether it’s caring for your baby, managing daily chores, cooking, or handling errands, a trustworthy househelp makes life easier. And with Thoonjo’s vetting process, you avoid the trial-and-error that often wastes time and causes stress.
Step-by-Step: How to Hire with Confidence
1. Define What You Need
Before posting an advert or calling an agency, sit down and list exactly what you want. Do you need:
A live-in nanny who can stay overnight?
A part-time maid for daily cleaning?
A dayburg (day worker) to handle laundry and cooking?
A trained babysitter for weekends only?
A house manager who oversees all domestic tasks?
When you are clear about your needs, you can communicate them better to agencies or candidates, saving you time and misunderstandings.
Step 2: Choose Where to Source Your Househelp
There are three main ways to find domestic workers in Kenya:
Referrals from Friends and Family – Trusted recommendations often yield reliable candidates.
Registered Domestic Worker Agencies – Professional agencies screen candidates, handle background checks, and match skills to needs.
Online Job Platforms – Websites and social media groups can help you connect directly, though you must be extra vigilant with vetting.
Tip: Always verify documents and ask for at least two referees who can speak about the worker’s past performance.
Step 3: The Interview Process
Think of interviewing a househelp as seriously as hiring for an office position. Ask:
How many years of experience do you have as a nanny, babysitter, or maid?
What are your preferred working hours?
Are you comfortable with live-in arrangements?
Do you have any training in child care, first aid, or housekeeping?
During the interview, look for honesty, confidence, and willingness to learn. If possible, invite them for a trial day to see how they adapt to your home environment.
Step 4: Conduct Background Checks
One of the biggest mistakes employers make is skipping background checks. Even if the candidate comes from a trusted source, confirm:
National ID authenticity
Previous employer references
Criminal record clearance (where possible)
A genuine and trustworthy domestic worker will have no problem providing this information.
Step 5: Set Clear Terms of Employment
Once you find the right househelp, formalize the arrangement. Put everything in writing: salary, duties, working hours, days off, and notice periods.
In Kenya, the Employment Act outlines basic rights for domestic workers, including paid leave and rest days. Familiarize yourself with these laws to protect both you and your employee.
Step 6: Build Trust and Respect
Hiring a househelp isn’t just about finding someone to work for you, it’s about creating a mutually respectful relationship. Pay salaries on time, provide a safe working environment, and appreciate their efforts. In turn, they’ll be more motivated to do their job well.
Mary, the young mother from Nairobi, eventually found a wonderful nanny through an agency. By treating her nanny as part of the family and setting clear expectations, she built a partnership that has lasted over three years a rare success in today’s fast-paced world.
Frequently Asked Questions
Rates vary depending on location, experience, and duties — but most earn between KSh 8,000 and KSh 20,000 per month.
Always conduct background checks, request references, and ideally go through a reputable agency.
Yes. Many families opt for dayburg services, where the domestic worker comes only during the day or on certain days of the week.
A maid typically handles cleaning and laundry, while a house manager oversees the entire household, including budgets, schedules, and staff coordination.
You May Also Like
1. Important questions to ask before hiring a househelp in Nairobi.
2. Top 10 Red flags to watch out for when interviewing domestic workers in Nairobi.
3. Life as a Househelp in Kenya: What they wish employers knew.
4. Why more Kenyan families are choosing dayburgs over Live-In Nannies.
