Hiring a domestic worker in Kenya can be a complex process, with both households and workers having concerns about safety, working conditions, and expectations. Esther Muitha, founder of Fiftess, a Nairobi-based domestic staffing agency, says that a successful placement requires understanding the household, the worker's abilities, and expectations, and whether both sides are compatible. With over 10 years of experience in the sector, Muitha has seen the importance of clear communication and agreements between households and domestic workers.
Muitha's experience with Fiftess, which she started in 2016, has shown that households need help finding suitable workers, while job seekers need opportunities to earn a living. She saw an opportunity to create jobs and make a difference in families' everyday lives. Fiftess connects families with people who can support them at home, and Muitha has learned that a growing demand for domestic workers inspired her to build an agency that could serve both sides.
One of the simplest problems in domestic employment can be one of the easiest to overlook: what exactly is the worker expected to do? A family may think it is obvious that a househelp will cook, clean, wash clothes, look after children, and handle other household tasks. However, the worker may have understood the job differently. Muitha says that households can sometimes create difficulties without intending to, by expecting one person to manage childcare, cooking, cleaning, and other responsibilities without discussing priorities or whether the workload is reasonable.
Safety is one of the biggest concerns that comes with hiring someone new to work inside a household. Families want to know that their children are safe, their property is respected, and everyday household responsibilities are handled carefully. Domestic workers, meanwhile, can also find themselves under suspicion when something goes wrong in a home, even when the cause of a problem may not be clear. Muitha says that screening can help, but families should understand its limits.
Fiftess's screening process includes checking identification, conducting a physical interview, discussing a person's experience and communication, and checking references and background information. Police clearance can also be requested. However, Muitha does not present screening as a guarantee, saying that it cannot guarantee someone's future behavior. Employers should still interview candidates, explain expectations, and maintain communication after placement.
Muitha also believes that workers should ask questions before accepting a position, instead of agreeing to a job without fully understanding what it involves. They should understand the actual duties, household needs, location, salary, working arrangements, and expectations. Workers should also be honest about their own abilities and clear about their limitations. Asking questions before accepting a placement helps both sides make an informed decision.
Before the first day, Muitha recommends that the household and worker discuss and agree on duties, priorities, salary and payment dates, working hours, rest days, accommodation, and meals where applicable. These arrangements should be recorded in writing and explained in a language both understand. If something changes later, the change should also be discussed, rather than assumed. This can help prevent misunderstandings and ensure a smooth working relationship.
Key points
- A successful domestic worker placement requires clear communication and understanding between the household and the worker.
- Screening can help assess a domestic worker's suitability, but it is not a guarantee of their future behavior.
- Domestic workers should ask questions and understand their duties, working arrangements, and expectations before accepting a position.
