Nairobi County Governor Johnson Sakaja has approved a groundbreaking menstrual health policy that grants female employees two days of paid leave each month, making the county the first in Kenya to formally recognize menstrual health challenges in its human resource framework.
On Tuesday, December 16, the Sakaja Cabinet formally adopted the introduction of two monthly Menstrual Health Days for women employees during a cabinet session chaired by the governor.
The approval follows a comprehensive cabinet memorandum that highlighted how menstrual health challenges, particularly dysmenorrhea, significantly affect women's well-being and work performance.
Studies cited in the policy document indicate that between 65 and 80 percent of women experience menstrual pain, with a considerable number suffering symptoms severe enough to impair productivity.
With women making up more than half of Nairobi County's workforce, the impact of unaddressed menstrual health issues has been reflected in reduced efficiency, increased presenteeism, and compromised service delivery across county departments.
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Until now, menstrual health has not been recognized in existing human resource policies, often forcing women to report to work while unwell or take unpaid leave. The newly approved policy addresses this gap by providing structured support without imposing additional financial strain on the county government.
According to the cabinet position paper, the policy is evidence-based and aligns with the county's commitments to gender equality, decent work, and inclusive governance.
The document notes that even modest recovery of productivity losses would yield significant institutional benefits for the county.
"The policy recognizes that supporting women's health needs is not just a matter of fairness, but also sound institutional management," the memorandum states.
Implementation will be undertaken by the Public Service Management subsector in collaboration with the County Public Service Board. Clear guidelines and sensitization measures will be rolled out across all departments to ensure smooth adoption of the policy.
Monitoring will be integrated into existing HR performance and employee wellbeing systems, with specific measures put in place to ensure the privacy and dignity of female staff are upheld at all levels.
The policy guarantees confidentiality, ensures no negative impact on performance appraisals, and maintains operational continuity for essential services through shift swaps and relief rosters.
Nairobi County's decision comes nearly a decade after Zambia became the first African country to introduce menstrual leave in 2015. Known as "Mother's Day," Zambia's policy grants women one day off per month during their menstrual cycle without requiring medical proof, making it a legally protected right for female workers.
The Zambian policy was championed by the country's first female vice president and embedded in the Employment Code Act following lobbying by women's rights organizations.
Women are allowed to take the discretionary day off with no prior notice, and employers who deny this entitlement can face legal prosecution.
However, Zambia's experience has been mixed. While many women have praised the policy for improving their wellbeing and work-life balance, some employers have raised concerns about productivity, and critics argue the law is sometimes misused.
Despite these challenges, Zambia's policy remains in force as part of the country's labor laws.
