A high-level policy consultation roundtable on regulating Kenya’s gig economy was held on May 12, 2025, in Nairobi. Convened by KICTANet in partnership with the GIZ Gig Economy Initiative and DTC Kenya, the event gathered stakeholders from government, industry, academia, civil society, and development partners to address the challenges and opportunities presented by Kenya’s fast-growing platform-based labour sector.
Discussions built upon an earlier roundtable held in April.
Kenya’s Gig Economy Landscape
Kenya has become Africa’s second-largest supplier of online labour, with over 1.2 million Kenyans working on platforms such as Uber, Upwork, and Fiverr.
The sector is a major driver of youth and women’s employment and is supported by government programs like Ajira Digital.
However, rapid growth has exposed issues, including job insecurity, lack of social protections, algorithmic management, and digital exclusion.
Regulatory and Economic Imperatives
Stakeholders emphasised the need for a regulatory framework that balances innovation with fair treatment and protection for gig workers.
The roundtable featured the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the GIZ Digital Transformation Centre and the Kenya School of Government, focusing on capacity-building for public sector officials in digital transformation.
Dr. Grace Githaiga, KICTANet Convenor, stated, “The dynamic nature of technology and its continuous evolution are reasons for the importance of this meeting.”
She emphasised the need for government engagement and multi-stakeholder collaboration, calling the roundtable “a key to networking and ensuring different voices are heard in policy-making.”
Githaiga added, “The role of regulation is emphasised, balancing it with the freedoms outlined in the Constitution.”
Ms. Katharina Mengede, Head of Digital Economy at DTC-GIZ, highlighted Kenya’s continental leadership: “1.2 million Kenyans are currently working online, making Kenya a leader on the continent in this regard.”
She called for “more regulation to formalise work and ensure fair pay and working conditions for digital workers,” stressing that digital labour offers new opportunities, especially for women, and that Kenya should “serve as a model for digital transformation across the region.”
Youth Empowerment and Digital Transformation
Prof. Noor Mohammed, Director General of the Kenya School of Government (KSG) called for “regulating, coordinating, and co-creating the digital economy to benefit the youth.”
He spotlighted the need for digital literacy and AI adoption in public service, stating, “The digital economy offers flexibility, agility, and convenience, especially for women, persons with disabilities, and those seeking first employment.”
Mohammed revealed that “82% of Kenyan gig workers are in the informal sector,” highlighting the urgency for strategic policies and regulations to unlock the sector’s full potential.
He further emphasised, “The potential of the gig economy could be fully realized by addressing pain points and challenges through strategic policies and regulations.”
The Kenya National Digital Master Plan 2022 and youth empowerment programs as pillars for building a resilient digital ecosystem.
Research Insights
Dr. Misiani Mwencha and Dr. Jacob Omolo presented research on balancing innovation, workers’ rights, and industry growth in the gig economy.
They noted the complexity of regulating gig work, including challenges in worker classification, taxation, and data privacy.
“The problematic nature of worker classification and the need to balance innovation with worker rights” was a recurring theme. The need for labour law reforms, improved data collection, and upskilling to prepare workers for the digital economy was emphasized, with calls for reforms to Kenya’s outdated Labour Act and better enforcement by agencies like the National Transport and Safety Authority.
Strategic Partnerships and Capacity Building
The meeting witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the GIZ Digital Transformation Centre and the Kenya School of Government.
The MoU aims to “address the capacity needs of the public sector and the rapidly evolving digital economy,” with both organizations committing to build capacity for transformative public service delivery.
Policy Recommendations and Next Steps
Participants called for multi-stakeholder dialogue to inform a white paper on improving working conditions and protections for online platform workers.
Panel discussions, moderated by Victor Kapiyo, emphasized the “critical need for advancing digital skills development alongside the formulation of policies and standards.”
Speakers including Peter Quest (Kenya School of Government), Teresios Bundi (GIZ), and Seth Sunya (Konexio Africa) underscored that “interconnectedness is required for a truly sustainable and inclusive digital economy in Kenya.”
The event marked a step toward developing a sustainable, inclusive, and well-regulated digital labour ecosystem in Kenya. Ongoing partnerships and collective action are seen as critical to future progress.
Kenya’s policy roundtable underscores the urgency of balancing innovation with robust regulation to ensure the gig economy drives inclusive growth while safeguarding worker rights.
Nicodemus Nyakundi is a Program Assistant – Digital Rights and Accessibility, at KICTANet.
