The Nairobi County Government has approved the introduction of two-monthly menstrual health days for women employees, a move aimed at improving service delivery across county departments. The decision was endorsed by Governor Johnson Sakaja and his Cabinet on Tuesday, December 16, 2025.
According to the county, the new policy will be integrated into Nairobi’s human resource framework to address menstrual health challenges that have often affected women employees’ well-being and work performance. Women constitute more than half of the county workforce, and the lack of menstrual health provisions has previously impacted efficiency and service delivery.
“Studies cited indicate that between 65 and 80 per cent of women experience menstrual pain, with a considerable number suffering symptoms severe enough to impair productivity,” the governor’s office stated.
“Women make up more than half of Nairobi County’s workforce, meaning the impact is reflected in reduced efficiency, increased presenteeism, and compromised service delivery.”
Evidence-Based Policy to Support Women
The county government said the policy is evidence-based and aligns with Nairobi’s commitment to gender equality, decent work, and inclusive governance. Measures will be put in place to safeguard the privacy and dignity of female staff across all departments.
“Clear guidelines and sensitisation measures will be rolled out across all departments, while monitoring will be integrated into existing HR performance and employee wellbeing systems,” the statement read.
Nairobi joins a growing number of countries recognizing menstrual health in the workplace. The policy follows examples from nations such as Japan and South Korea, where labour laws grant women menstrual leave to support health and productivity.
“Other countries with established menstrual leave entitlements include Zambia, Japan, and South Korea, where the Labour Standards Act requires employers to grant one day of menstrual leave per month,” the statement added.
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