Nairobi County has shaken the workplace landscape with a bold policy granting women employees two paid menstrual health days per month. Signed off by Governor Johnson Sakaja, the move is being hailed as ground breaking but has also provoked sharp criticism, heated debate, and serious questions about workplace fairness in Kenya.
The policy addresses a reality long ignored in Kenyan offices. Studies show that up to 80 percent of women experience painful periods that make work difficult. Nairobi County employs a majority of women, and the leave allows them to take time off without deductions from sick or annual leave and without medical proof. Officials insist it is cost neutral, built into existing HR systems, and designed to boost productivity and morale.
But the announcement has unleashed backlash. Critics argue it could backfire, reinforcing stereotypes that women are less reliable. One woman, slammed the policy, saying, “Women risk being side lined before even starting a job. Employers already discriminate because of maternity leave or pregnancy. Now they may see two extra days a month as a liability. This will push women further back in the workplace.”
Others suspect political motives and accuse Governor Sakaja of using women’s health as a platform for his 2026 ambitions. “This feels like a headline grab, not real reform. Without enforcement and culture change, women could be left with promises and no protection,” one critic said.
Globally, Nairobi joins Japan, South Korea, Zambia, Indonesia, and Spain in recognizing menstrual leave. But while other countries have long implemented such policies, Nairobi is breaking new ground in Kenya, challenging workplaces to confront gender biases and taboos.
Legal experts say Nairobi’s move is historic yet risky. If enforced properly, it could improve health, productivity, and gender equity. If mishandled, it could become a tool for subtle discrimination, where women’s health needs are treated as professional weaknesses.
The policy has triggered a national conversation about gender equality, workplace culture, and the real cost of progressive policies. Advocates celebrate a long overdue recognition of women’s needs. Critics fear the consequences of a society where policy clashes with perception.
Nairobi County has opened a door, but whether menstrual leave empowers women or exposes them to new workplace prejudice is a battle that will unfold in offices and boardrooms across the city.
