This major city is introducing paid menstrual leave for female public workers
Female period and intimate hygiene concept. Young african american woman taking disposable menstrual pad from table in bathroom, closeup, free space.
NAIROBI, Kenya - Nairobi has become the first county in Kenya to grant female public employees paid menstrual leave, allowing up to two days off each month under a new policy aimed at improving worker well-being and productivity.
Dig deeper:
The new policy took effect in December 2025. It grants county government employees in the capital, Nairobi, two days off every month to deal with the pain and discomfort of menstruation, with the aim of improving productivity and well-being.
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What they're saying:
Gov. Johnson Sakaja told The Associated Press that Kenya's national government has expressed interest in how it goes, and other county governors have as well.
"Your biggest asset is your staff," said Sakaja, who shepherded the new practice and oversees a government where more than half the 18,000 employees are women. "It starts with dignifying your own staff, for them to feel that they’re respected and dignified."
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The other side:
There has been little public objection. Critics have said the policy could discourage employers from hiring more women, but Sakaja disagreed, saying he believes that women perform better than men when they are supported.
Women currently lead the Nairobi county government's business and health portfolios.
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"A lot of labor policies were written many years ago by men," the governor said. "Women’s rights are not anti-productivity — they are an input that creates productivity. It’s actually an investment in your workforce."
He said there would be no financial impact, as the county has more than one person for each role.
"It will not be a train smash if three or four people in a department are not there for a day or two," he said.
Big picture view:
Japan adopted a menstrual leave policy in 1947. The latest was Spain in 2023. Other countries include Indonesia and South Korea.
In Africa, only Zambia has nationwide menstrual leave policy. It allows female workers to take one day per month without having to provide a note from a health care provider.
Advocates say such policies recognize menstruation as a legitimate workplace health issue.
The policy is a "no-questions-asked, no-forms-filled" arrangement and offers paid leave alongside the usual sick and annual paid leave enshrined in labor law. Nairobi has implemented the policy using a cabinet decree and an internal memo from the human resource office.
The Source: The information in this story comes primarily from reporting by The Associated Press, including interviews with Nairobi Gov. Johnson Sakaja, county officials such as Human Resource Manager Janet Opiata, and workers affected by the policy. This story was reported from Los Angeles.