Perception is power, and in Kenya, professional perceptions have long rendered the domestic sector powerless. We treat Agriculture and Domestic work with a disdain that borders on the irrational, yet these sectors are the foundation of human survival. While Agriculture is a leading contributor to GDP, domestic work is the fuel that replenishes the workforce and ensures homes are conducive to nurturing future generations. Despite its indispensable role, the sector is relegated to the “unproductive corner,” yet the ILO estimates that unpaid care and domestic work is worth up to 9% of global GDP, or $11 trillion.

With 2 million workers in Kenya, this sector is yet to earn its rightful place as a recognized profession. Civilization has been progressive, but our treatment of domestic labor remains retrogressive, with workers often treated as “family” only until it is time for remuneration. To change this, we must view domestic work as a legitimate entry-level job that allows workers to hone skills and progress to higher echelons or other sectors. The key to this transformation is formalization through the ratification of ILO C189, which mandates extending fundamental labor rights to these workers.

A critical step toward making domestic workers “economic citizens” is their integration into mandatory social protection schemes like the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) and NSSF. Currently, compliance is low because households lack formal payroll systems, making remittances administratively burdensome. The solution lies in creating a simplified “Household Employer” digital portal to ease the calculation and remittance of contributions. Consistent NSSF contributions will unlock economic benefits, such as eligibility for the Tenant Purchase Scheme (TPS) for affordable housing. When the domestic sector is rebranded as a major source of entry-level jobs with social security, it will finally be viewed as a professional choice rather than a fallback for survival.