The number of women earning over Ksh.100,000 monthly has risen significantly, showcasing notable strides in gender parity within Kenya's workforce. Data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) indicates a 92% surge in female high earners, increasing from 125,579 in 2022 to 139,847 in 2023.
In comparison, male workers in the same bracket experienced a marginal increase, rising from 246,315 in 2022 to 247,571 in 2023. Despite men still dominating this income group, the sharp growth in female participation reflects a positive trend towards inclusivity and empowerment in traditionally male-dominated sectors like construction, agriculture, and education.
Most employees remain concentrated in lower income groups, with those earning between Ksh.30,000 and Ksh.99,999 making up a substantial portion of the workforce. Meanwhile, workers earning below Ksh.10,000 rose slightly to 12,062 in 2023, and those in the Ksh.10,000–Ksh.14,999 range grew by 0.5% to 40,167.
Industries with the highest concentration of top earners include education (89,125), wholesale and retail trade (46,911), social work (39,643), and agriculture (35,144). Education remains the leading sector, accounting for 21% of top earners, followed by manufacturing (11%), agriculture (10.96%), and public administration (10.95%).
This data underscores the evolving dynamics of Kenya’s labor market, with increasing opportunities for women in high-paying roles driving progress toward economic equity.