Kenya’s capital provides new menstrual leave for government employees

The initiative, introduced in December 2025, allows women working in the county government two paid days off each month to manage the physical discomfort associated with menstruation. The policy aims to support staff well-being while boosting productivity.

Governor Johnson Sakaja, who led the effort, emphasized the value of prioritizing employees. “Your greatest asset is your staff,” he told The Associated Press. “Recognizing their needs ensures they feel respected and dignified.” Sakaja oversees a county workforce of over 18,000, more than half of whom are women.

Women’s rights and productivity

While some critics have argued that menstrual leave could discourage companies from hiring women, Sakaja disagrees. He said supporting women actually enhances performance. “Many labor policies were written decades ago, primarily by men,” he explained. “Women’s rights are not contrary to productivity—they are an investment in the workforce.”

Currently, women hold key leadership positions in Nairobi’s business and health sectors. Sakaja also noted the policy is financially manageable because most roles have multiple staff members. “It’s not a disaster if a few employees are away for a day or two,” he said.

A woman at a sewing machine holds a cloth with heart patterns, while other women work in the background. — Beryl Anyango, 27, holds a reusable sanitary towel made for distribution to girls and women in the Kibera informal settlement on the outskirts of Nairobi, Kenya, on Feb. 12, 2026. AP

Global context

Menstrual leave is not new internationally. Japan first implemented it in 1947, followed by countries such as Indonesia, South Korea, and Spain, which introduced its policy in 2023.

Janet Opiata, Nairobi County’s Human Resource Manager, described the response among staff as very positive. “Employees return from leave feeling refreshed and more capable,” she said. In February, at least 12 women from her department—including a senior director—used the leave. The policy is simple: no forms or explanations are required, and it is fully paid, supplementing standard sick and annual leave.

A Kenyan doctor smiles while sitting at her desk. — Eunice Cheserem, a specialist obstetrician-gynecologist, sits in her office during an interview with The Associated Press in Nairobi, Kenya, on Feb. 16, 2026. AP

Three women working, one on a sewing machine, creating reusable menstrual pads. — Women sew reusable sanitary pads inside the Fempad NGO workshop in the Kibera informal settlement on the outskirts of Nairobi, Kenya, on Feb. 12, 2026. AP

Challenges and stigma remain

For some women, cultural stigma continues to make taking menstrual leave difficult. Marion Kapuya, a 25-year-old revenue officer, explained that explaining menstrual discomfort to a manager can still feel uncomfortable. “Working through pain can lead to mistakes,” she said. “Being able to rest improves performance.”

Christine Akinyi, a worker in Nairobi’s private sector, praised the two-day leave but suggested extending it to four days. She also expressed concern that some employers might favor hiring men because they do not require menstrual leave.

Medical perspective

Gynecologist Eunice Cheserem, based in Nairobi, highlighted the severity of menstrual symptoms. She estimates that half the women she sees experience debilitating pain, sometimes accompanied by vomiting, diarrhea, or severe headaches. Conventional painkillers are not always sufficient, she said.

“The new leave allows women time to recover and manage their symptoms,” Cheserem explained. “It’s an important step toward supporting women’s health in the workplace.”

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