Updated on July 10, 2024: Added new entries for Deloitte, Royal Media Services, Bamburi Cement, Airtel Kenya, and East African Breweries Limited (EABL), along with additional high-paying companies and updated FAQ section to reflect current salary trends in Kenya.
It is only natural as a job seeker to look for the best-paying companies in Kenya. We all know that money should not be the primary motivation when looking for a job.
However, it is tough to avoid it as a key contributing factor when deciding which job offer to accept.
Best Paying Companies in Kenya
Here is a list of the best-paying companies in Kenya in 2020:
1. United Nations
United Nations office in Kenya is the headquarters of the four UN offices all over the world. Apart from offering competitive pay for its employees, The UN also provides a competitive benefits package.
According to a survey conducted by Brighter Monday Kenya, this organization ranked second as the best paying company in Kenya after Safaricom.
The organization offers more opportunities for its employees for career growth, and that’s why it possible to get more people staying in the organization until retirement.
2. Safaricom
Safaricom is among the leading telecommunications firm in Kenya. In the 2018 survey on the best places to work in Kenya, Safaricom was ranked number 1. It is worth to note that this is highly attributed to the pride that most of those working in it feel.
We all want to work in a company that cares about our communities and for 18 years, Safaricom has been collaborating with societies to bring change.
The company offers a handsome pay package to its employees. Among its top benefits, is the provision of Lunch to all its employees based at the HQ.
3. Kengen
Kenya Electricity Generating Company PLC, KenGen is the leading electric power generation company in Kenya. The company provides a work environment that continuously adds value to its employees.
KenGen optimizes human capital contribution and provides a work environment that continuously adds value in the provision of electric energy.
Moreover, the company embraces an inclusive culture for all its employees without discrimination. The working environment is excellent.
Related: Best Companies to Work for in Kenya.
4. Google
Google is the dream company for all of us. I mean, who does not want to work at Google? The starting salary at Google is Ksh. 250,000.
On top of this, the work environment is friendly, like who doesn’t want to work while seating on a bean bag?
To get hired to be a googler, there are three necessary steps: Application, Interview, and the final decision are made.
5. Centum
Centum is the leading investment company listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange and Uganda Securities Exchange.
We are an investment channel providing investors with access to a portfolio of inaccessible, quality, diversified investments.
There are so many avenues of getting hired at Centum. One could get in as an experienced hire, graduate trainee and internship. Graduates starting salary is between Ksh.100 – 150K.
6. Kenya Revenue Authority
Kenya Revenue Authority is an agency of the government of Kenya that is responsible for:
- the assessment,
- collection
- accounting for all revenues that are due to the government,
- per the laws of Kenya.
KRA has built a strong professional team of over 6,000 employees deployed across the country.
Moreover, Kra has created a favourable work environment with able mentors who ensure talent is developed.
Moreover, the company has been ranked among the top five (5) employer of choice in the country.
Some of the main benefits of working at KRA include:
- Capacity development/Continual learning
- Leadership development
- Internship & Attachment Program
- Staff welfare
- Diversity & Inclusivity
7. Kenya Power and Lighting Company
Kenya Power owns and operates most of the electricity transmission and distribution system in the country.
The company sells electricity to over 6,761,090 million by the end of June 2018.
KPLC ranks number 7 on the list of best-paying companies in Kenya. Moreover, the company offers employment opportunities from entry-level to professional hires.
8. PriceWaterhouseCoopers
PWC is a multinational audit company that makes it to the list of the best-paying companies in Kenya.
The company with headquarters in Kenya also employs a graduate trainee who earns a salary of around 70-85K.
They pick the crème del a crème of the society. The recruitment process for graduate trainees is very vigorous, which involves a lot of online tests and interviews to pick out the best.
Note that, If you are lucky to join the PwC team of fresh graduates, pat yourself at the back because many don’t make it past the first test.
You need an impressive CV for the graduate trainee job and a sharp mind.
You may also like; Top 10 FMGG Companies in Kenya.
9. Deloitte
William Welch Deloitte founded Deloitte in London in 1845. Over more than 150 years, it has expanded into a global professional services network with offices in over 150 countries, including Kenya.
Known officially as Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, the firm offers audit, assurance, risk advisory, financial advisory, tax services, and consultancy.
Deloitte is highly regarded and one of the highest-paying companies in Kenya. It employs top talent, offering annual salaries from Ksh 5 million to Ksh 140 million, with an average annual pay of Ksh 85 million.
In 2020, Deloitte reported revenues of 47.6 billion USD, supported by 334,800 employees and over 50 subsidiaries worldwide. This financial success contributes to its reputation as a top employer with competitive salaries.
10. Royal Media Services
Royal Media Services is another top-paying company in Kenya. Established by Samuel Kamau Macharia, it is one of the largest private TV and radio networks in East Africa. Subsidiaries include Citizen Television, Citizen Radio, Inooro Television, and Hot 96.
With operations starting in 1999, Royal Media employs over 700 permanent staff and another 700 temporary workers. The average monthly salary is $3,838, translating to an annual pay of $46,067.
Notably, top journalists can earn over Ksh 1 million monthly, with some, like Jeff Koinange, making Ksh 2 million. The company operates two TV stations and 14 radio stations, 12 of which broadcast in local languages.
11. Bamburi Cement
Bamburi Cement Limited, founded by Felix Mandl in 1951, is a leading Kenyan industrial company specializing in cement and concrete production. Headquartered in Nairobi with operations in Mombasa, the company has thrived under CEO Bruno Pescheux.
In 2022, Bamburi Cement reported revenues of KES 39.2 billion and a net income of KES 5.87 billion. The company’s assets totaled KES 42 billion, with equity at KES 29.7 billion. Subsidiaries include Bamburi Special Products and Lafarge Ecosystems.
As a top employer, Bamburi Cement offers an average annual salary of KSh 2,700,000, with monthly salaries of around Ksh 120,000.
12. Airtel Kenya
The telecommunication industry has revolutionized global communication, enriching investors and paying substantial salaries to employees. Airtel Kenya Ltd, a top-paying company in Kenya, was founded in 2000 by Bharti Airtel and Airtel Africa and is led by Prashanta Das Sharma.
As Kenya’s second-largest telecoms company, Airtel Kenya serves over 16.2 million subscribers, representing 27.2% of the market share. Employees with undergraduate degrees earn between Ksh 80,000 and Ksh 150,000 monthly, with ongoing salary enhancements reflecting the company’s strong customer base and market presence.
13. East African Breweries Limited (EABL)
East African Breweries Limited (EABL) is a leading Kenyan company, renowned for its high salaries and nearing its centenary since its founding on November 8, 1922. EABL, under CEO Andrew Cowan since July 2016, produces beer, spirits, and non-alcoholic beverages.
Headquartered in Nairobi, it has subsidiaries in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and South Sudan, and partners in Burundi, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. EABL’s trainee program offers starting salaries of Ksh 70,000, with full staff earning an average of Ksh 150,000 per month, reflecting the company’s high net income and profitability.
Additional High-Paying Companies in Kenya
Kenya’s rapidly growing economy has attracted numerous top-tier companies. Besides the top ten highest-paying companies, several other notable firms offer competitive salaries. These include:
- Nestle Kenya
- Jubilee Insurance
- Capital FM
- Coca-Cola
- GlaxoSmithKline Kenya
These companies are leveraging Kenya’s economic growth to expand their brands and provide lucrative employment opportunities.
FAQs – Best Paying Companies in Kenya
What is a good salary in Kenya?
Entry-level employees: Approximately 30,000 KES per month. Mid-career professionals: Ranging from 50,000 to 100,000 KES per month. Senior-level executives and highly specialized professionals: Can exceed 130,000 KES per month, reaching much higher figures in certain industries.
How many people earn 100k per month in Kenya?
The revision has seen those earning over Sh100,000 monthly jump from 79,909 captured in 2020 to 310,884, outing over 230,000 top earners whose firms have been under-declaring their salaries. Last year, the number of workers earning over Sh100,000 jumped 15 per cent or 48,000 more to 358,833.
What salary is considered upper class in Kenya?
It now takes a net worth of $20,000 (Sh2. 2 million) to break into the population of Kenya’s top one percent by wealth, according to the latest Knight Frank Wealth Report. The threshold means that the country’s most affluent class is packed with prosperous professionals and entrepreneurs.
Conclusion
In the end, it is imperative to align yourself with the minimum qualifications required to join your dream company.
Like for instance, to join UN nations, you may need to learn a foreign language like French.
