Domestic work in Kenya, as well as in other parts of the world, is frequently characterized by low wages and a lack of recognition. Nevertheless, domestic workers have consistently proven to be indispensable to our daily lives. They maintain our households, ensure cleanliness, prepare our meals, and care for our children; essentially being responsible for our well-being.
Despite their significant contribution to the economy and our overall welfare, domestic workers in Kenya face some of the most challenging working conditions. While the focus has rightfully been on the dire situations of Kenyan workers in the Middle East, it is equally important to address the issues occurring within our own homes.
We must therefore discuss how domestic workers endure low pay, are often excluded from union membership, and may even lack proper documentation, making them vulnerable to mistreatment by their employers. They are also denied common employment benefits such as paid leave, health insurance, and pensions, further exacerbating their precarious situation.
In this episode of The Kenyanist, Kamau Wairuri is joined by Mumbi Kanyogo, a Kenyan feminist scholar, to discusses the pursuit of dignified domestic work in Kenya.
The episode sheds light on the challenges faced by domestic workers in Kenya and their fight for better conditions. Mumbi also highlights the historical context of domestic work, its connection to colonialism, and the exploitation that persists today. The episode also explores the efforts of domestic workers to organize and resist, including their involvement with the National Domestic Workers Council and the Kenya Union of Domestic Hotels Educational Institutions Hospitals and Allied Workers (KUDHEIHA).
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Sources:
Mumbi Kanyogo (Nov 7, 2022). ‘Sisi Pia ni Watu’: In Kenya, Domestic Workers Resist Exploitation. The Republic.