Negotiating Your Salary in Kenya: Tactics and Tips for Success

Understanding Cultural Nuances

Kenyan workplaces have unique cultural elements that can influence salary negotiations:

• Respect and Hierarchy: Kenyan culture places a high value on respect for authority and hierarchy. When negotiating, approach the conversation with respect, especially when dealing with senior management. Avoid being too aggressive or overly confrontational.
• Community and Relationships: Building relationships is key in Kenya. Your negotiation can be more successful if you’ve established a rapport with your employer or hiring manager. Personal relationships often influence business dealings more than in some Western cultures.
• Indirect Communication: Sometimes, direct confrontation about money can be seen as impolite. Kenyans might prefer indirect approaches or use intermediaries in negotiations. Gauge the situation and perhaps use phrases like, “I was hoping we could discuss the compensation package” rather than directly stating, “I want more money.”

Knowing Your Worth

Before you enter any negotiation:

• Market Research: Use resources like blosomup.com to understand salary benchmarks for your position in Kenya. Websites, salary surveys, and networking with peers can provide insights into what similar roles are earning.
• Highlight Your Value: Document your achievements, the unique skills you bring to the table, and any additional responsibilities you’ve taken on. This isn’t about boasting but about showing your tangible impact.
• Consider the Full Package: Salaries in Kenya can include various components like housing allowance, transport, medical insurance, or even a car loan. Evaluate the entire compensation package, not just the base salary.

Tactics for Successful Negotiation

Here are some strategies to navigate salary negotiations:

• Timing is Everything: The best time to negotiate salary is when you have an offer in hand. For raises, performance review times or after a significant project completion are ideal moments.
• Start with Gratitude: Begin by thanking your employer for the opportunity or current position. This sets a positive tone for the negotiation.
• Propose a Range: Instead of a specific number, offer a salary range. This gives you room to negotiate and shows flexibility. For example, “Based on my research, I believe the market rate for this role is between Ksh 100,000 to Ksh 130,000.”
• Be Prepared to Walk Away: If the offer is too low and non-negotiable, be prepared to consider other opportunities. However, do this gracefully, leaving the door open for future discussions.
• Negotiate Beyond Salary: If the salary is fixed, negotiate for benefits like more leave days, flexible working hours, professional development opportunities, or a performance-based review in the near future.

When to Push for More

• After Achievements: Use your achievements as leverage. If you’ve significantly contributed to the company’s success, now is the time to push for recognition in the form of salary.
• Market Adjustments: If there’s been a noticeable increase in industry salaries or if inflation has eroded your earning power, these are valid reasons to revisit your salary.
• New Responsibilities: If you’ve taken on more responsibilities, especially those outside your original job description, this is a strong argument for salary adjustment.
• Competitive Offers: If you have another job offer, use it cautiously as leverage. This can be a double-edged sword, so approach it with sensitivity to maintain your current relationship with your employer.

Conclusion