Career advice · Updated October 2026
EHS Officer Salary in Kenya and How to Become One
Factories, construction firms, flower farms, food processors and energy companies in Kenya all need someone to keep people safe and the business on the right side of safety and environmental law. That person is usually called an EHS (environment, health and safety) officer, or sometimes an HSE or SHE officer. This guide explains what the job involves, what the EHS officer salary in Kenya looks like based on published pay scales, the qualifications employers ask for and how to get started.
What an EHS officer does
The job sits on two main laws. The Occupational Safety and Health Act, 2007 (OSHA) makes every occupier responsible for the safety, health and welfare of people at work, and the Environmental Management and Co-ordination Act covers pollution, waste and environmental assessments. An EHS officer turns those duties into daily practice. Typical tasks include:
- Running risk assessments and job safety analyses before work starts.
- Inducting new staff and contractors, and running toolbox talks and fire drills.
- Investigating accidents and near misses, and keeping the records the law requires.
- Managing personal protective equipment, permits to work and safety signage.
- Supporting the workplace safety and health committee.
- Tracking waste, effluent and emissions, and preparing for audits and inspections.
- Handling the paperwork when a worker is injured. Our guide to work injury compensation in Kenya explains that process from the employee’s side.
In a large plant the role is often split between environment, health and safety specialists. In a smaller company one officer covers all three, often alongside sustainability reporting.
EHS officer salary in Kenya: what the published figures show
Most private employers in Kenya do not publish salaries in their adverts, and there is no official salary survey for EHS roles. The most reliable published figures come from government adverts, which must state the salary scale. The Public Service Commission’s January 2024 vacancies advert listed these senior posts in the Directorate of Occupational Safety and Health Services (DOSHS):
| Position | Grade | Basic salary per month | House allowance per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Director, Occupational Safety and Health Services | CSG 5 | KSh 143,640 to 262,420 | KSh 49,206 to 60,000 |
| Deputy Director, Occupational Safety and Health Services | CSG 6 | KSh 102,860 to 172,350 | KSh 21,508 to 50,000 |
These are senior management roles; entry-level officers sit several grades lower. The figures also come from an advert published before the latest civil service pay review, so treat them as a floor for these grades rather than today’s exact pay.
In the private sector, pay depends heavily on the industry and the size of the site. A safety officer at a multinational manufacturer or an energy project usually earns more than one at a small local factory, and roles that also cover environmental compliance and sustainability reporting tend to pay more again. Before you negotiate, ask the employer for the salary band, compare offers with the JobInKenya salary checker and run any figure through the net salary calculator to see your take-home pay after PAYE, NSSF, SHIF and the housing levy.
Qualifications employers ask for
Looking across current EHS adverts in Kenya, employers usually want:
- A diploma or degree in occupational safety and health, environmental science, environmental health, engineering or a related science.
- A recognised professional safety certificate. International certificates are common in multinational adverts.
- Practical knowledge of OSHA 2007 and its rules, including fire safety, safety committees and medical examinations.
- For environmental work, familiarity with NEMA requirements such as environmental audits and effluent licences.
- Two to five years of experience for officer roles; graduate and assistant roles accept less.
The PSC’s senior DOSHS posts above also asked for membership of the Kenya Occupational Safety and Health Association and a specialised safety certificate of at least two weeks from a recognised institution, which shows the kind of credentials the public sector values.
Becoming a DOSHS-approved safety and health adviser
Experienced practitioners can apply to DOSHS for approval as a safety and health adviser, which allows them to carry out the statutory safety audits that workplaces must commission. Approval is renewed every year. The DOSHS fee guide on the DOSHS management information system lists the approval fee for OSH advisers at KSh 15,000 per year, plus KSh 2,000 for each audit submitted.
Approved advisers often work as consultants serving several clients. If you go that route, you will need a registered business; Business Radar’s guide on registering a limited company on BRS covers the steps.
Career path
A common progression runs from EHS assistant or graduate trainee, to EHS officer, to senior officer or coordinator, and then to EHS manager covering several sites. Some move into sustainability and ESG reporting, which many companies now publish alongside their accounts. Others move into consulting once they have the experience for DOSHS approval.
Where to find EHS jobs in Kenya
Manufacturers have been hiring. Recent listings on JobInKenya include an environment, health, safety and sustainability coordinator at Capwell Industries and an EHS officer at Highlands Drinks in Nyeri. Search titles such as “HSE officer”, “SHE officer”, “safety officer” and “EHS coordinator”, because employers use all of them. Browse engineering jobs, where many safety roles are listed, and set up free job alerts for “safety”.
When you apply, put your certificates and the size of sites you have covered near the top of your CV. Our guide on how to write a CV in Kenya shows how to lay that out, and our common interview questions guide will help you prepare for the panel.
Key takeaways
- EHS officers turn the Occupational Safety and Health Act and environmental law into daily practice at work sites.
- Government adverts are the most reliable published pay data: DOSHS deputy directors were advertised at KSh 102,860 to 172,350 basic a month.
- Private-sector pay varies by industry and site size; ask for the band and check it against the salary checker.
- Experienced practitioners can seek DOSHS approval as safety and health advisers, at KSh 15,000 a year.
Frequently asked questions
What does EHS stand for?
EHS stands for environment, health and safety. Some Kenyan employers use HSE or SHE for the same role.
What qualifications do I need to be an EHS officer in Kenya?
Most employers ask for a diploma or degree in occupational safety and health, environmental science or a related field, a recognised safety certificate, and knowledge of the Occupational Safety and Health Act, 2007.
How much does DOSHS charge to approve a safety and health adviser?
The DOSHS fee guide lists KSh 15,000 per year for approval as an OSH adviser and KSh 2,000 for each safety audit submitted.
Which industries hire EHS officers in Kenya?
Manufacturing, food and beverage processing, construction, energy, mining, horticulture and logistics hire the most, along with consultancies that run safety audits for clients.
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