Thanks to the Solidarity Center and its Kenyan union partner, more than 3,000 domestic workers in Nairobi and Kisumu are proud union members.

	Domestic workers in Kenya are among the groups most vulnerable to human trafficking and slavery.

More than 1 million domestic workers are employed in the capital of Nairobi, and thousands more work in smaller cities. Under Kenyan law, domestic workers are entitled to a living wage; annual, sick, and maternity leave benefits; health care coverage; and a safe workplace. But these legal protections are often not enforced. A Solidarity Center sponsored survey of domestic workers in the western port city of Kisumu found that 77 percent earned less than the minimum wage and 32 percent were physically, sexually, or verbally abused in the homes where they worked. The survey also found that domestic workers, who often hail from poorer, rural areas, are among the groups most vulnerable to human trafficking and slavery.

The Kenyan Union of Domestic, Hotel, Educational Institutions, Hospitals, and Allied Workers (KUDHEIHA) has made organizing domestic workers a strategic priority. In March 2009, with the help of the Solidarity Center, KUDHEIHA-supported domestic worker committees in Nairobi and Kisumu launched an awareness campaign, conducted trainings, and convened public discussion forums on worker rights. To date, more than 3,000 domestic workers have joined KUDHEIHA through these committees. 

Recently, the program convened a nationwide training of domestic worker leaders on such issues as labor law education, HIV/AIDS awareness, and expanding the campaign activities begun in 2009. KUDHEIHA also met with NGO and government stakeholders to discuss tangible policy improvements for domestic workers, such as increased labor law inspection and enforcement. 

"A huge number of us have reported raises in our salary," said a domestic worker after joining KUDHEIHA. "Now we need to continue the campaign until every domestic worker can receive a minimum wage and other rights under law."