Nairobi Sets Pace on Workplace Menstrual Health
By Shadrack Mutai || Kass Digital
Nairobi City County has taken a bold step toward gender-responsive governance after the Sakaja Cabinet approved two monthly Menstrual Health Days for women staff at City Hall.
The policy, endorsed during a cabinet session chaired by Governor Johnson Sakaja, formally integrates menstrual health support into the county’s human resource framework marking a progressive shift in how public institutions address women’s wellbeing at work.
For years, menstrual health has remained a silent challenge in many workplaces, often forcing women to work through pain or take unscheduled leave. Nairobi’s decision reframes the conversation, recognizing menstrual health as a legitimate workplace concern directly linked to productivity, dignity, and staff morale.
County officials say the move is designed to create a more supportive work environment while improving efficiency and retention among women employees. By anchoring the provision within HR policy, the county ensures the measure is structured, predictable, and protected from arbitrary interpretation.
Nairobi now joins a growing list of countries that have adopted menstrual leave policies. Zambia, Japan, and South Korea provide one day of menstrual leave per month under their labor laws. Indonesia allows two statutory days at the onset of menstruation when pain is reported, while Spain introduced a similar policy in 2023 one of the first in Europe.
Advocates see Nairobi’s move as a signal moment for county governments across Kenya and the region, setting a precedent for inclusive workplace reforms that prioritize health without stigma.
As conversations around equity and wellbeing gain momentum, City Hall’s decision places Nairobi at the forefront of progressive public-sector employment practicesturning policy into purpose, and recognition into action.
