How do I check if my employment contract is legal in Kenya?

Paste your contract into Contract Lens and it flags each clause against the Employment Act 2007 — probation length, notice period, leave, deductions and non-competes — and explains what the law requires. It is pattern-based information, not legal advice.

What is the maximum probation period under the Employment Act 2007?

Probation may not exceed six months, and can only be extended once by up to a further six months with the employee's consent (section 42). A twelve-month probation clause is unlawful.

Is my contract private when I check it here?

Yes — the contract is analysed entirely in your browser and never uploaded to any server.

Employment Contract Checker — is your Kenyan contract legal?

Check an employment contract before you sign it — or after. Paste the text if you have a soft copy, or answer the checklist while reading a paper contract. Everything runs in your browser; nothing is uploaded.

Contract text

Pattern-based scan. It cannot read scanned images — type or paste text.

Answer from the paper contract in front of you

1. Contract in writing & signed?

2. Salary amount clearly stated?

3. Probation length (months)

4. Notice period (days) I am paid monthly

5. Annual leave (working days/yr)

6. Working hours per week

7. Deductions listed in the contract

8. Housing or housing allowance

9. Sick leave

10. Maternity / paternity leave

11. Termination clause

12. Non-compete / restraint-of-trade clause present?

Leave a number blank if the contract says nothing about it.

Sources

Employment Act 2007 (Kenya) — ss.9–10 (written particulars), s.19 (deductions), s.27 (rest days), s.28 (annual leave), s.29 (maternity & paternity), s.30 (sick leave), s.31 (housing), s.35 (notice), s.40 (redundancy), s.42 (probation), ss.45–46 (unfair termination). Full text on kenyalaw.org.

Regulation of Wages (General) Order — normal working week (up to about 52 hours over 6 days for day workers), overtime at 1.5×, weekly rest day.

Restraint-of-trade clauses — not governed by the Employment Act; courts apply common-law reasonableness (see also the Contracts in Restraint of Trade Act, Cap 24).

This is pattern-based information, not legal advice.

The scanner matches words and numbers; it can misread unusual drafting, and it cannot weigh your full situation. Statutory minimums also change. Before signing or disputing a contract, have a human review it — book a session and walk through the clauses with someone.