The latest data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) shows that the number of female top earners increased from 125,579 in 2022 to 139,847 in 2023, representing a 92 per cent hike.
In contrast, the number of male workers grew by a thin margin, rising from 246,315 in 2022 to 247,571 last year.
Despite men having the lion’s share in the earning bracket, the women have had a significant rise in the past year alone.
The trend has seen majority of women enter Kenya’s formal labour market such as construction, agriculture and education sectors.
Overall, the total number of workers were based in two monthly income groups; Ksh.30,000 to Ksh.49,999 and Ksh.50,000 to Ksh.99,999.
Those earning below Ksh.10,000 rose from 11,528 in 2022 to 12,062 last year while those earning between Ksh.10,000 to Ksh.14,999 increased by 0.5 per cent to 40,167.
According to the report, the industries that had the top earners (those earning above Ksh.100,000) in 2023 included education (89,125), wholesale and retail trade (46,911), social work (39,643) and agriculture (35,144).
21 per cent of the workers fall in the education category, followed by manufacturing (11 per cent), agriculture (10.96 per cent) and public administration (10.95 per cent).
By Brian Kimani
