Annual Leave Days Calculator Kenya
How many leave days has this employee earned?
Today, or the last day of work.
At least 21 working days (s.28).
Optional. Shows what the balance is worth in cash. Basic plus regular cash allowances.
Leave year, carried-forward days and day rate
Optional. Checks the 18-month rule.
Annual leave
as of 28 Oct 2026- Cash value
- Add pay
- Day rate
- –
- Full 21 days earned
- 3 Feb 2027
How it's worked out
- Find the leave year that contains the date: from the last work anniversary, or from 1 January (or another month) but never before the start date.
- Count completed months in that leave year, up to 12.
- Accrued leave = leave days a year ÷ 12 × completed months. For 21 days that is 1.75 days a month.
- On exit, pro-rata leave is only due after at least 2 completed months in the leave year (s.28(1)(b)).
- Balance = days carried forward + accrued − days taken this leave year.
- Cash value = balance × monthly pay ÷ 30 (or ÷ 26 or ÷ 22 if your policy says so).
- Carried-forward days must be taken within 18 months of the end of the leave year they were earned in (s.28(4)).
Statutory leave in Kenya
| Leave | Length | Pay | Law |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual | 21 working days a year | Full | s.28 |
| Maternity | 3 months | Full | s.29 |
| Paternity | 2 weeks | Full | s.29(8) |
| Pre-adoptive | 1 month | Full | s.29A |
| Sick (Employment Act) | 7 + 7 days after 2 months | Full, then half | s.30 |
| Sick (General Wages Order) | 30 + 15 days after 2 months | Full, then half | para 12 |
| Sick (Agricultural Order) | 30 + 30 days after 1 month | Full, then half | para 10 |
Questions people ask
How many leave days am I entitled to in Kenya?
At least 21 working days of paid annual leave after every 12 consecutive months (Employment Act s.28). If you leave mid-year after at least 2 months in that leave year, you're owed 1¾ days for each completed month.
Can leave be carried forward?
Yes, within limits. At least two uninterrupted weeks should be taken within the leave year. The rest must be taken within 18 months after the end of the year it was earned (s.28(4)). Unused leave is paid in cash when you leave, and must be on redundancy.
How long is maternity and paternity leave?
Maternity is 3 months on full pay, and doesn't reduce annual leave. Paternity is 2 weeks on full pay (s.29). Adoptive parents get 1 month's paid pre-adoptive leave (s.29A). No 2025 or 2026 amendment has changed these periods.
How many sick days do I get?
The Employment Act minimum is 7 days on full pay, then 7 on half pay, each year after 2 months' service. The Regulation of Wages (General) Order gives 30 full-pay and 15 half-pay days to non-agricultural employees. The Agricultural Order gives 30 + 30 after 1 month. A medical certificate is required.
Sources
Rates last checked 13 Sep 2026. Estimates only, not tax or legal advice.