Overtime Pay Calculator Kenya 2026

Overtime in Kenyan law

Overtime is work beyond the normal hours of a contract. The Regulation of Wages (General) Order, issued under the Labour Institutions Act, sets minimum rules for many employees: overtime on a normal working day is paid at least 1.5 times the normal hourly rate, and work on a rest day or public holiday at least 2 times. Some sectors have their own wage orders, and many contracts and collective agreements pay better.

Working out the hourly rate

The hourly rate comes from the monthly basic salary divided by the number of standard hours in a month. This calculator uses 225 hours a month, a common payroll convention that reflects a working week of around 52 hours across the month; your contract might define it differently. If your employer uses a different divisor, adjust your basic salary figure to match, or compare the result with your payslip.

How the calculator works

You enter your basic monthly salary, the overtime hours you worked on normal days and the hours worked on rest days or public holidays. It then calculates:

1. the hourly rate (basic salary ÷ standard hours);
2. normal-day overtime = hours × hourly rate × the normal multiplier;
3. rest-day or holiday pay = hours × hourly rate × the rest-day multiplier;
4. the total overtime pay and your basic pay plus overtime.

A worked example

For a basic salary of KES 22,500 the hourly rate is KES 100. Ten hours of normal overtime and eight hours on a rest day give a total of KES 3,100.00.

Who is covered

Not everyone is entitled to overtime pay. Managerial and some senior staff may be paid a salary that is meant to cover all hours, and some contracts include a clause on that. Domestic workers, security guards and shop assistants have specific wage orders, so check which order applies to your sector. If you are unsure, ask your labour office.

Overtime is taxable

Overtime pay is part of your gross pay, so it is subject to PAYE and the deductions that apply to gross pay. Use the bonus, overtime and commission tax calculator to see how much of it you keep. Because overtime is added to the month's earnings, it can push part of your pay into a higher tax band.

Keeping records

Both employer and employee benefit from a clear record. Keep a log of the hours worked and the approval for them, because disputes about overtime usually turn on records. Employers must keep records of the hours worked by employees under the Employment Act.

Unpaid overtime

If an employer has not paid overtime you were entitled to, you can ask for the money in writing, and take the matter to the labour office if the employer does not respond. There are time limits for bringing claims, so act early.

About the figures

The multipliers and standard hours come from the rates held for this site and are updated when the wage orders change. The result is an estimate for information only, not legal advice. For a dispute, ask the labour office, your union or a lawyer.

Agreeing overtime in advance

Overtime goes more smoothly when it is agreed before it is worked. Ask for approval in writing or by message, record the start and finish time, and make sure payroll receives the timesheet before the monthly cut-off. If your employer uses time off in place of pay, check that the arrangement is in your contract and that the time off is at the same multiple as the pay. For shift workers, a roster that sets hours in advance helps to show what counts as overtime.

Guides, tools and templates for this topic

Read next: How PAYE is calculated in Kenya, step by step, NSSF contributions explained: tiers, limits and what you pay, Gross pay versus net pay: how to negotiate a salary in Kenya

Related calculators: Bonus, Overtime and Commission Tax Calculator, PAYE Calculator, Minimum Wage Checker

Excel templates: Annual leave planner and register, Overtime and leave tracker

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