Stop Accepting Peanuts: Why Kenyans Need To Value Themselves In The Job Market

A few days ago, I witnessed something that left me shaking my head in disbelief. I was translating for a Chinese client looking for salespeople familiar with the Kenyan market. He got a candidate’s number from someone, invited him for an interview, and even picked the meeting location—a coffee shop. The Kenyan sales guy shows up, experienced, knowledgeable, and with an existing client list. Clearly, he’s an asset.

But then, things took a turn.

First, the Chinese guy shows up 30 minutes late. No apology. Then, he lets the Kenyan pay for his own coffee. Keep in mind, he reached out to him, not the other way around. But here’s the real kicker—the sales guy, despite holding all the cards, asks for a salary of KES 30,000 and freely spills inside information about his former company, which happens to be a competitor to the Chinese guy’s new business. What kind of self-sabotage is this?!

This isn’t the first time I’ve seen this happen. I know of another Chinese-owned company where Kenyan workers grind the entire Saturday for an extra KES 100. Who accepted this? Who thought this was okay?

THE BIGGER PICTURE: WHY ARE KENYANS UNDERSELLING THEMSELVES?

Whether it’s desperation, colonial hangover, or a simple lack of confidence, many Kenyans fail to recognize their value in the workplace. Instead of negotiating from a position of strength, we accept disrespect, low pay, and bad working conditions, making it even harder for the next person to demand better.

Let’s be real: If the first person had demanded KES 100K, the next hire could push for KES 80K. But because someone accepted peanuts, the standard is now set at peanuts. And the cycle continues.

WHAT CAN WE DO?

1. KNOW YOUR VALUE

• If you have experience, knowledge, and a strong network, you are an asset. Act like it.

• Research industry rates and never, never, be the first to state a salary figure. Let the employer say it first.

• Ask yourself: If this company had to hire a foreigner for my job, how much would they pay them? Because it would be more—guaranteed.

2. STOP ACCEPTING DISRESPECT

• If someone invites you for a job interview in a restaurant, they should be footing the bill. If they don’t, that’s a red flag.

• If they are late, call it out. Your time is valuable.

• If they dismiss or belittle you, walk away. There are better opportunities out there.

3. NEVER GIVE AWAY INFORMATION FOR FREE

• Your industry knowledge, contacts, and insights are valuable. They should only be shared after you are hired, on your terms, and for proper compensation.

• Giving away strategic information in an interview weakens your negotiating power. Instead, tease your knowledge, but make them hire you to get the full picture.

4. NEGOTIATE FOR MORE THAN JUST SALARY

• A good salary is great, but don’t forget to negotiate for working hours, benefits, bonuses, off days, and career growth.

• Employers will offer you the bare minimum if they think you’ll accept it. Don’t. Ask for more.

5. THINK ABOUT THE NEXT PERSON

• The moment you accept low pay and poor conditions, you set the standard for everyone else after you.

• Would you want your brother, sister, or child to work under such conditions? If not, don’t accept them for yourself.

6. CALL OUT EXPLOITATION

• That company making workers toil the entire Saturday for KES 100? They are only getting away with it because Kenyans let them.

• Share experiences, expose unfair practices, and warn others about bad employers.

FINAL THOUGHTS

We need to change how we approach employment in this country. It starts with self-worth. It starts with demanding better. It starts with understanding that jobs are a two-way street—employers need you just as much as you need them.

So the next time you walk into a job interview, walk in with confidence, demand your worth, and stop accepting nonsense. Because when you settle for less, you make it harder for every Kenyan who comes after you.

Enough is enough.