Severance pay after 1 year of service

The legal minimum is 15 days’ basic pay for each completed year: 15 days in total.

Rates verified 5 October 2026
KSh
years

Minimum severance pay

KSh 25,000

for 1 year of service

How this was calculated

Daily rate (basic ÷ 30)
KSh 1,666.67
Days per completed year
15
Days owed
15
Severance pay
KSh 25,000

This is the legal minimum under Section 40 for redundancy. Your contract or CBA may give more. Notice pay, leave and unpaid salary are paid on top.

Quick answer

After 1 completed year, redundancy pay is at least 15 days of basic salary. On a KSh 50,000 basic salary that is KSh 25,000.

Severance after 1 year, by basic salary
Basic salarySeverancePlus 1 month notice
KSh 20,000KSh 10,000KSh 30,000
KSh 30,000KSh 15,000KSh 45,000
KSh 40,000KSh 20,000KSh 60,000
KSh 50,000KSh 25,000KSh 75,000
KSh 75,000KSh 37,500KSh 112,500
KSh 100,000KSh 50,000KSh 150,000
KSh 150,000KSh 75,000KSh 225,000
KSh 200,000KSh 100,000KSh 300,000
KSh 300,000KSh 150,000KSh 450,000

Notice pay (usually one month), accrued leave and any unpaid salary are paid on top. Try the leave pay calculator to value unused days.

Rates used in this calculator

Employment Act entitlements
Severance (redundancy)15 days’ pay per completed year
Service pay15 days’ pay per completed year (non-NSSF members)
Annual leave21 working days (1.75 days a month)
Overtime1.5× on weekdays, 2× on rest days and public holidays
Maximum deductions from payTwo-thirds of wages
NITA levy (employer)KSh 50 per employee a month

Popular calculations

Frequently asked questions

How much is severance for 1 years in Kenya?

At least 15 days of basic pay: basic salary ÷ 30 × 15 × 1.

How is severance pay calculated in Kenya?

Severance pay is 15 days' basic wages for each completed year of service. Your daily rate is your basic monthly salary divided by 30, then multiplied by 15 and by the number of completed years worked.

Is severance pay based on gross salary or basic salary?

Kenyan courts have determined that severance pay is calculated on basic salary only, excluding allowances, even if your contract or payslip separates the two.

Am I entitled to severance pay if I resign?

No. Severance pay under the Employment Act only applies when employment ends due to redundancy. Resignation, dismissal for cause, or natural contract expiry do not trigger this statutory payment.

Is severance pay taxable?

Yes, severance pay is treated as taxable income and is added to other termination dues when working out the final PAYE liability.

Related calculators

Sources:

Estimates for guidance only, not tax, legal or financial advice. Confirm with KRA, your employer or the provider for exact figures. How we calculate.