What to Do When Your Employer Does Not Pay You in Kenya
October 13, 2026 · WKA Advocates
Updated October 13, 2026 · Published by WKA Advocates
Start With the Actual Employment Issue
Make a dated salary schedule showing the periods worked, contractual pay, amounts received and balance disputed. Retain payslips, bank records, the employment agreement and relevant attendance or work records you can lawfully hold. Write to the employer or HR contact identifying the missed payment and requesting an explanation and a payment date.
What the Documents May Change
Keep the response and follow the available grievance procedure where appropriate. A labour officer complaint, negotiation or employment claim may be relevant depending on the facts. WKA can assess the employer identity, evidence, deadlines and route. Avoid assuming a complaint pauses a legal time limit or that stopping work automatically resolves the arrears.
Documents to Prepare
The employment contract, amendments and policy versions relevant to the issue.
A chronology identifying material dates, decisions and correspondence.
Relevant payslips, payment records, notices, responses and hearing or meeting records.
A clear statement of the disputed facts, amounts or outcome you want to discuss.
Keep originals and organise copies by date. Explain missing records and distinguish what you know directly from assumptions or information supplied by another person. Ask about secure transfer before sending sensitive workplace or third-party records, and retain only documents you are entitled to hold.
Review the Process and Available Options
The applicable contract, statutory rules, workplace policy and evidence need to be considered together. A concern may be resolved through clarification, a properly handled internal process or negotiation; other matters may require a complaint, claim or defence. Discuss the route that fits the issue and the legal parties rather than copying a step from a different employment dispute.
Identify any pending hearing or filing deadline at the first enquiry. Continuing discussions, an internal appeal or a letter to the employer should not be assumed to preserve every legal claim. WKA can assess the material dates and explain what further information is needed before recommending the scope of work.
Questions for Your Advocate
Which facts and documents are important for this particular issue?
What further records or calculations should be checked?
Which process, deadline and potential outcome need review?
What work is included in advice, drafting, negotiation or representation?
Agree deliverables, fees, disbursements, reporting and responsibility for the next step. A first enquiry does not by itself mean that a claim has been filed or that representation has been accepted. Tell the team promptly if a new notice, payment or hearing date changes the matter.
What should I bring to an employment law consultation?
Bring the agreement, relevant notices and correspondence, a dated chronology and any disputed payment calculation. Identify your objective and material deadline so the proposed legal work can be discussed.
Tell WKA Advocates whether you are an employer or employee, what happened, the documents available and any hearing or filing deadline. Call +254 798 035 580, email info@wka.co.ke, or view our Nairobi contact details. Agree the scope, fees and next step before work begins.
