Nairobi County Approves Two Monthly Menstrual Health Days for Women Staff

In a move aimed at strengthening employee wellbeing and promoting gender-responsive workplaces, the Nairobi County Cabinet on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, approved the introduction of two menstrual health days per month for women employees.

The decision, led by Governor Sakaja, allows female staff members to take up to two days off each month to manage menstrual-related health challenges.

The days will be formally incorporated into the county’s human resource framework, signalling an institutional commitment rather than a discretionary arrangement.

County officials say the policy is informed by evidence showing that a significant number of women experience menstrual pain and related symptoms that affect their physical comfort and ability to work effectively.

With women forming more than half of Nairobi County’s workforce, the cabinet noted that addressing menstrual health is both a wellbeing and productivity issue.

The new provision is designed to support women who experience severe menstrual symptoms, including cramps and fatigue, without compromising their dignity or privacy. County departments are expected to roll out implementation guidelines and sensitisation measures to ensure the policy is applied respectfully and consistently across the public service.

Oversight of the initiative will be handled by the county’s public service and human resource structures, including the County Public Service Board, as part of broader efforts to improve working conditions and create an inclusive public sector.

Nairobi’s move places it among a growing number of governments globally that are recognising menstrual health as a legitimate workplace concern. Countries such as Zambia, Japan, Indonesia and Spain have introduced similar measures, reflecting a wider shift toward policies that acknowledge reproductive health as part of employee wellbeing.

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