2025 Kenya Job Search Report

Introduction

The 2025 MyJobMag Job Search Report offers fresh perspectives on the evolving job market in Kenya. By reviewing job search patterns from 2023 and 2024, the report uncovers notable trends in recruitment strategies and employer preferences. 

This report is designed to guide business executives, HR practitioners, and job seekers in making strategic decisions and staying ahead of the curve as they approach the opportunities and challenges of 2025. 

Job Search Research Methodology:

This report is grounded in an in-depth review of job postings on MyJobMag from January 2023 to December 2024.

Kenya’s job market saw a 7% growth in 2024 compared to the previous year. This is following a total of 40,344 vacancies advertised across diverse industries. A significant 83% of the positions demanded a Bachelor’s degree, highlighting its importance in the current job market.

 

Top 10 Job Roles in Kenya (2024): 

The role of "Accountant" stands out as the most in-demand job in Kenya. Four other accounting positions rank among the top, underscoring the industry's critical importance and strong demand. Beyond accounting, other highly sought-after roles include Sales Executive, Administrative Assistant, Driver, and Finance Manager. The chart below captures more in detail: 

 

Top Hiring Industries (2024):

In 2024, NGOs led Kenya’s hiring landscape, contributing 19% of all job placements. The Government and Banking sectors also emerged as significant employers, recording 4,125 and 3,991 hires respectively, highlighting their pivotal role in the job market.

Top Job Fields in Kenya (2024):

Project Management leads the job market in Kenya, making up 18% of all job openings. Close behind are roles in Sales, Marketing, Retail, and Business Development, which account for 17% of available opportunities. Finance and ICT also show strong demand, representing 15% and 13% of job postings, respectively. These trends emphasize the importance of professionals tailoring their skills to match the most sought-after fields.

States Leading in Employment Opportunities:

The job market in Kenya shows significant regional disparities. Nairobi overwhelmingly leads by hosting 81% of all job openings in 2024. In stark contrast, regions like Bomet and Nanyuki had minimal job opportunities, highlighting a pronounced imbalance in employment distribution nationwide.

States with the Highest Number of NGO Jobs: 

In 2024, a total of 6,175 NGO jobs were posted, with Nairobi leading in the number of available positions. This highlights Nairobi's prominence as a center for development work and nonprofit organizations. Following Nairobi, Turkana and Garissa also saw significant NGO job opportunities.

Top Remote Jobs (2024):

Software Engineering & Data roles lead the top remote jobs in Kenya, accounting for nearly 30% of all positions. Other key roles are in fields like Accounting & Finance, Project Management, and Cloud & Infrastructure. This highlights the dominance of tech and finance in the remote job market. 

To secure remote opportunities, job seekers in Kenya are advised to upskill in fields driving remote work demand, especially in technology and finance.

Industries with the Least Hiring (2024):

Industries with lower hiring activity offer important insights into fields where job opportunities for graduates are more limited. As illustrated in the chart below, the Building/Construction sector experienced the least hiring activity in Kenya.

The Big 5 Job Roles in Finance:

The financial sector presents opportunities for job seekers, with accountant roles dominating nearly 66% of all job openings in this field. Despite the demand for these roles, candidates must be aware that competition is fierce. To stand out, developing specialized relevant skills is not just beneficial, but essential. Other key positions such as Finance Manager and Internal Auditor are also highly sought after, reinforcing the need for expertise in these areas. 

The Big 5 Job Roles in Tech:

The tech field accounts for 15% of job opportunities in Kenya. This shows the demand for tech roles is steadily growing. Software Engineer dominate as the most sought-after tech role. Additionally, Data Engineer, Analytics Engineer, and Linux Kernel Engineer highlight opportunities for experienced professionals to thrive.

Industry Comparison Trends:

Kenya's year-on-year growth shows notable decline across several industries. NGOs saw a slight drop of 0.21%, while Professional/Social Associations experienced a sharper decline of 26.75%. This is likely due to reduced engagement and resources.

The worst hit is the Government industry with a decline of 31.58%, highlighting challenges in public administration. Sales/Retail industry also contracted by 25.24%, reflecting lower consumer demand amid economic pressures. These trends indicate a tough economic environment, with industries dependent on external funding. 

Conclusion: What Does the Future Hold? 

The 2025 MyJobMag Search Report reveals growth in Kenya's job market with Nairobi dominating job opportunities. While demand for degree holders is high, competition for roles, especially in accounting, sales, and ICT is intense.

Similarly, key industries like NGOs, Government, and Retail show signs of contraction, raising concerns about economic stability. However, the rise of remote work, particularly in tech and finance, offers new opportunities.

Addressing these disparities and skill mismatches will be essential for ensuring inclusive growth in Kenya's job search market.