Salary day passes and nothing arrives. A single delay can happen for innocent reasons, such as a bank holiday or a payroll glitch. A pattern of late payments is a warning sign about the employer and a serious problem for you. The way you respond in the first few days affects how quickly you are paid and how well you are protected if the problem continues. This guide is general information, not legal advice.

Start with the facts

Check your contract or offer letter for the pay date. Look at your bank and M-Pesa statements to be sure nothing arrived. Ask colleagues whether they were paid. Many delays are company-wide, and knowing that helps you decide how to respond. Note the date the payment was due and the day you noticed it was missing.

Ask politely, in writing

Contact payroll or your manager and ask when you can expect payment. Use email or a message, so there is a record, and keep the tone calm. A simple note is enough: state the month, the amount you expect and the date it was due, and ask for a date by which it will be paid. Many problems are resolved at this stage. Keep a copy of the message and any reply.

Know what the law expects

Employers are required to pay wages on time, and unauthorised delays or deductions can be challenged. If your contract states a pay date, that is the standard. A repeated delay may amount to a breach of contract. Keep a simple log of each late payment, with dates, so you can show a pattern. What to check in an employment contract before you sign explains what the contract should say about pay.

Check the other contributions

When pay is late, contributions may also be late or unpaid. Check that NSSF, SHIF and the Housing Levy are being remitted, using how to check your NSSF, SHIF and Housing Levy are being paid. If PAYE is deducted but not paid, see when your employer does not remit your PAYE. Late payment of these causes problems for you later, such as gaps in your records.

Protect your finances

Plan for the gap. Prioritise rent, food and essential bills, and tell lenders and landlords early if you expect a delay; many will agree to a short extension if you ask before the due date. If you have an emergency fund, this is when it helps; see how to build an emergency fund on a Kenyan salary. The monthly income and expense planner helps you work out what you can delay.

Escalate if it continues

If the date you were given passes, write again, copy a senior manager or the HR head and set a reasonable deadline. State what you are owed, and ask for a written plan if the company cannot pay at once. Keep a record of each communication. If payments are repeatedly late, consider a conversation with a trade union representative or an advocate.

Official routes

If the employer does not respond, you can approach the labour office in your county, which can inspect and advise, and you may be able to bring a claim for unpaid wages. The time limits for claims apply, so do not wait indefinitely. What to do if you are paid below the minimum wage describes the same route for a different problem, and how to challenge an unexplained deduction from your salary covers deductions.

Do not resign in a rush

If you decide to leave because of late payment, speak to an adviser first. How you leave can affect what you can claim. Keep working only as long as it is safe for you financially, and keep your evidence. If you resign, follow what you are owed when you resign to claim everything due, including unpaid salary and leave.

Keep your own records

Save your contract, payslips, bank statements and all messages about the delay in a folder. The tax records checklist and document log is a handy place to list them. If you receive part payments, note them. A clear file turns a complaint into evidence.

Look ahead

A single late payment may be a blip; repeated ones suggest cash trouble at the employer. Start building savings, keep your CV current and talk to trusted people in your field. Being prepared does not mean being disloyal; it means protecting yourself while you work to resolve the problem.