Documents you need for a new job in Kenya
Ministry of Labour and Social Protection · sources read 4 Oct 2026
Have your national ID and a KRA PIN ready, since everyone in employment needs a PIN. Your employer must give you a written contract if the job lasts 3 months or more and register you with NSSF within 21 days. Clearance certificates can only be asked for once the employer means to hire you.
- Where
- With your new employer; KRA PIN on iTax (itax.kra.go.ke); NSSF at any NSSF office
What you need
- Your national ID (or alien ID), needed to register your KRA PIN
- Your KRA PIN
- Your NSSF membership number if you already have one. You register with NSSF only once in your life.
- Clearance certificates (such as Chapter Six clearances), only if the employer asks once it intends to hire you
- Not Kenyan? A valid work permit or special pass with your employer's name on it
Steps
- No KRA PIN yet? Register on iTax with your ID details. If you're employed, you also give your employer's PIN.
- Sign a written contract. It is required for any job lasting 3 months or more.
- Your employer registers you with NSSF within 21 days of starting work.
- Your employer deducts income tax (PAYE) from your pay every month and sends it to KRA.
Watch out
- An employer can't demand clearance or compliance certificates from every applicant, only once it intends to give you a contract.
- If you can't meet the clearance requirements, the employer may withdraw the job offer.
- Not registered with NSSF by your employer? Report it at the nearest NSSF office.
Who this covers
- Anyone starting a job: everyone who is employed must have a KRA PIN.
Official sources (6)
- About PIN kra.go.ke · read 4 Oct 2026
- Requirements for KRA PIN Registration kra.go.ke · read 4 Oct 2026
- Pay As You Earn (PAYE) kra.go.ke · read 4 Oct 2026
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) nssf.or.ke · read 4 Oct 2026
- Employment Act, 2007 labour.go.ke · read 4 Oct 2026
- Employment (Amendment) Act, 2022 labour.go.ke · read 4 Oct 2026