Delivering Employee Support Services in the Global Community

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Fast Facts Population: 39,002,772 Capital City: Nairobi Political Structure: Republic Currency: Kenyan Shilling Time Zone: EAT

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Kenya

eaP Drivers anD influences

Projected UtilisationKenya’s EAP market is showing promise of growth. There is a strong potential for the increase in telephonic counselling, given that counsellors are limited.

Governmental Incentives/Barriers The Kenyan government has a reputation for being corrupt. The government often finds a way to charge additional personal taxes. For instance, a company may see a project’s cost inflate by 10% for government gain.

Local/Regional/National Laws That Impact Counselling and EAPs Under the Mental Health Act, individuals with a mental health illness cannot be denied insurance coverage.

Attitudes Toward CounsellingIn Kenya, there is a long tradition of seeking help from witch doctors; therefore, counselling is typically not seen as a way for someone to receive treatment. People will be more open to counselling services in large cities than in rural areas.

Attitudes Toward Alcohol and Substance AbuseIn recent years, people have become increasingly concerned about drug and alcohol abuse in Kenya. Some people have even argued that the president and prime minister should declare substance abuse a national disaster.

Individuals between the ages of 15 and 60 take multiple breaks at alcohol kiosks on a daily basis. These people maintain that the alcohol gives them the energy to per-form manual labour in the sweltering heat. Alcohol and tobacco are the most commonly abused drugs; however, nearly one quarter of the population abuses a substance other than alcohol. Instances of abuse are highest among young people from 10 to 19 years of age.

Attitudes Toward Wellness ServicesPeople are more open to wellness services in large cities than in rural areas. Employers recognise the importance of providing such services.

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Professional clinical Qualifications

There is not an organisation in Kenya that oversees EAP accreditation.

Key Professional Associations

Kenya Psychiatric AssociationUpper Hill Medical Centre, 3rd Floor, Suite 3CRalph Bunche RoadP.O. Box 73749Nairobi 200, KenyaTelephone: +254 (20) 271-1596Fax: +254 (20) 342-854E-mail: fnjenga@africaonline.co.ke

Kenya National Association of Social WorkersP.O. Box 74223Nairobi, KenyaTelephone: +254 (22) 40-411

National Nurses Association of KenyaP.O. Box 49422Nairobi, KenyaTelephone: +254 (20) 272-8933/2Fax: +254 (20) 341-883

Schizophrenia Foundation of KenyaP.O. Box 10439 Nairobi 00100, Kenya E-mail: sfkanisa@yahoo.com Website: http://www.sfk.or.ke

national Delivery systems

Health CareThe poor economy has contributed to an underfunded state health care system that is lacking sufficient medical equipment and staff members. The health care system also faces challenges in fighting diseases that are associated with poor public health, including malaria, cholera, the Ebola virus, Rift Valley fever, anthrax, and dengue fever. Tuberculosis and HIV, which affects 16% of the population, contribute to the problems.

The top-rated state hospitals are Kenyatta National Hospital in Nairobi, Coast Provincial Hospital in Mom-basa, and Nyanza Provincial Hospital in Kisumu. The government operates dispensaries throughout Kenya, which are managed by enrolled and registered nurses un-der the direction of the nursing officer at the respective health centre. Dispensaries provide basic care for issues related to colds, the flu, skin conditions, and simple malaria. Individuals who require a higher level of care are referred to health clinics, which often have a medical laboratory and offer a variety of services depending on the medical professionals on staff.

Behavioural/Mental Health CoverageThe state-funded health care system offers insurance for mental health care; however, it covers only hospital bed charges for employed individuals. As a result, many people with mental illness are left without coverage.

Although Kenya has a mental health programme, the government spends only 1% of its health budget on mental health. Currently, there is one psychiatrist for every 500,000 people and only one third of these profes-sionals are employed in the public sector. The remainder work in the private sector for a much higher salary.

Child Care and ParentingChild care is primarily the responsibility of family members, including aunts, sisters, and grandmothers. Wealthy families may hire nannies. Few day care centres exist in Kenya, and those that do are elite.

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Elder CareNearly all Kenyans care for their ageing family members. The government does not offer elder care services.

Legal AssistancePro bono legal services are available to refugees and homeless children.

Financial AssistanceCredit Kenya offers free financial counselling and an education programme.

Some EAPs offer financial counselling services.

Wellness Services Employers recognise the importance of providing wellness services. Wellness programmes at some Kenyan companies include health risk assessments, occupational health management, and chronic disease management.

LanguageBantu Swahili and English are the official languages of Kenya.

Ethnic MakeupKenya’s population includes three of Africa’s major sociolinguistic groups: Bantu, Nilotic, and Cushitic.

Demographic TrendsKenya is home to nearly 250,000 refugees, including Ugandans who flee across the border regularly to seek protection from the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) rebels.

Work EthicKenyans have a strong work ethic.

Lifestyle/Religion/FamilyKenya has between 40 and 70 tribes. The tribal influence is diminishing in the country’s culture; however, it is still important in the social life.

The family unit is important in Kenya, surpassing the tribe in terms of importance. Extended family members often live with one another, including aunts, uncles, and cousins. Mothers and fathers commonly leave their children with family members in order to work in a different city and provide a better life for their family.

Approximately 80% of Kenyans practice Christianity and roughly 11% of Kenyans practice Islam. The remainder of the population practices traditional African religions or other faiths. Communication StylesKenyans have an indirect communication style. They have a very diplomatic way of speaking, particularly when engaged in conversation with a new acquaintance or a superior. To avoid being blunt, Kenyans typically use analogies, metaphors, and stories to make a point.

Kenyans also tend to gesture with their hands when speaking. They generally speak in a normal tone of voice; however, voices may become raised during disagreements in business situations. Losing one’s temper is considered a sign of mental instability. Kenyans are proud of their ability to control their emotions and expect others to do the same.

Business anD economic characteristics

EconomyKenya is the regional hub for trade and finance in East Africa; however, the country has been disadvantaged due to corruption and by reliance upon several primary goods which have prices that have remained low.

Black tea is Kenya’s second-largest earner of foreign exchange, following horticulture. The country is the leading exporter of black tea in the world.

Workers’ Rights LegislationThe Constitution guarantees the prevention of inhumane treatment and the protection from slavery and forced labour.

The general work week is set at 52 hours per week, but the typical work week consists of 45 hours per week. Work generally occurs Monday through Friday for eight hours each day. Individuals may work for five hours on Saturdays under special orders for different sectors secondary to the Regulations of Wages and Conditions of

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Employment Act. All workers are entitled to a minimum of one day of rest per every seven days worked. The regular day of rest varies depending on the sector.

All workers must be allowed a minimum of 21 days of paid time off each year. If an employee works for less than a year, the number of paid days off will be reduced accordingly. Many contracts and collective agreements set an annual leave that ranges between 30 and 45 days off. The average Kenyan receives an annual leave of 24 days. Women are entitled to two months of maternity leave with full pay; however, if a woman takes maternity leave, she loses her annual leave for that year.

There are 11 public holidays, including New Year’s Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Labour Day, Madaraka Day, Moi Day, Kenyatta Day, Eid-ul-Fitr Day, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day. If a holiday falls on a Sunday, the next working day will be considered the holiday.

The Employment Act does not make any provisions for wages in general. The minimum wage is dealt with by the Regulations of Wages and Conditions of Employment Act and in the Regulation of Wages Order secondary to Chapter 229. A tradition has been established according to which the Minister of Labour and Human Resource Development, in exercise of his or her powers conferred to by Section 11 of the Regulation of Wages and Condi-tions of Employment Act, would order the increment of minimum wages to come into effect May 1st of every year.

Status and Influence of Work Councils and/or UnionsThe Federation of Kenyan Employers (FKE) is headquar-tered in Nairobi and has three branches: the Coast, Rift Valley, and Western Regions. The FKE addresses issues that affect individual industries or sectors. The FKE leads the negotiation and signing of collective bargaining agreements on behalf of its member companies at all levels.

Kenyan trade unions are based on sectors; however, some general unions exist that operate beyond individual industries. The Central Organisation of Trade Unions

(COTU-K) is the only national trade union centre in Kenya. There are currently 37 registered trade unions, 35 of which are affiliated with COTU-K. Approximately one million individuals currently belong to trade unions that are affiliated with COTU-K.

CommunicationInternet access in Kenya is limited in comparison to other countries across the globe; however, the Internet market is growing quickly. Kenya has a fair telephony system, with available land lines, mobile lines, and SMS texting.

Confidentiality IssuesKenya currently doesn’t have data protection laws; however, the government is currently working on the Data Protection Bill and the Information and Communi-cation Technology Bill.

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Support for International Assignees

EmbassiesBritish High Commission NairobiUpper Hill RoadP.O. Box 30465-00100Nairobi, KenyaTelephone: +254 (20) 284-4000Website: http://ukinkenya.fco.gov

Embassy of the United States Nairobi, KenyaUnited Nations AvenueGigiriNairobi, Kenya Telephone: +254 (20) 363-6622Website: http://nairobi.usembassy.gov

SchoolsInternational School of KenyaP.O. Box 14103Nairobi 00800, KenyaTelephone: +254 (20) 418-3622Website: http://www.isk.ac.ke

Brookhouse International SchoolMagadi Road Langata P.O. Box 24987 Nairobi 00502, KenyaTelephone: +254 (20) 2430-260-3Website: http://www.brookhouse.ac.ke

Additional Resources for US or UK CitizensNairobi Expat Social (NES)Contact: Vanessa FoxE-mail: nairobiexpatsocial@gmail.com

Acceptance of counselling

EAP awareness in business world

EAP and work-life utilisation

Population of English speakers

Telephone availability

Internet access

emPloyee assistanCe and WorK-life snaPshot

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