Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has approved a new workplace policy granting female employees of the Nairobi City County Government two days off every month to address menstrual health needs.
According to the BBC, the decision was reached during a county cabinet meeting chaired by the governor on Wednesday, December 17, and formally incorporates menstrual health support into the county’s human resource policies.
According to the county executive, the policy is aimed at improving the well-being of female staff and boosting overall productivity within county departments.
“Menstrual health challenges, including severe menstrual pain, significantly affect women’s ability to perform optimally at work,” the cabinet noted in a memorandum.
“Studies indicate that between 65 and 80 per cent of women experience menstrual pain, with some cases severe enough to interfere with productivity.”
The memorandum further explained that women make up more than half of Nairobi County’s workforce, meaning menstrual-related discomfort contributes to reduced efficiency, presenteeism, and pressure on service delivery.
The cabinet described the initiative as evidence-based and aligned with Nairobi’s commitment to gender equality, inclusive governance, and decent work standards.
“Even a modest recovery of productivity losses linked to menstrual health challenges would deliver significant institutional benefits,” the statement added.
Governor Sakaja said the policy would be implemented by the Public Service Management subsector in collaboration with the County Public Service Board. He assured staff that clear guidelines and sensitisation programmes would be rolled out across all departments.
“The implementation framework prioritises confidentiality and dignity for female employees, while also ensuring continuity of public services through mechanisms such as shift adjustments and relief rosters,” Sakaja said.
Under the policy, menstrual health days will not negatively affect performance appraisals, and monitoring will be integrated into existing staff welfare and performance systems.
With the move, Nairobi joins a growing list of jurisdictions recognising menstrual health within workplace policies. Countries such as Japan, South Korea, and Zambia have similar provisions, while Indonesia allows two days of menstrual leave for women experiencing pain. Spain also introduced menstrual health leave legislation in 2023.
The Nairobi County Government says the policy reflects its broader goal of creating a supportive and inclusive work environment for all employees.
