Manufacturing, agriculture, education, and public administration remained the leading sectors employing Kenyans in 2025, as wage employment continued to expand across both the private and public sectors, according to data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS).
According to the 2026 KNBS Economic Survey report, the total recorded employment, excluding small-scale agriculture, increased to 21.6 million in 2025 from 20.8 million recorded in 2024.
Total wage employment in Kenya increased to 3,315,000 persons in 2025, up from 3,213,800 in 2024.
The private sector accounted for the largest share, rising to 2,245,000 workers in 2025, compared to 2,190,600 in 2024.
The public sector grew to 1,070,000 workers, up from 1,023,200 in the previous year.
The total number of new jobs generated in the economy in 2025 was 822.1 thousand, of which 87.2 percent were created in the informal sector.
Meanwhile, the informal sector employment rose by 716.8 thousand jobs in 2025 to stand at 18.1 million.
KNBS Report Shows Manufacturing Lead in Private Sector Employment
The latest Economic Survey report shows that manufacturing remained the leading employer in Kenya’s private sector, supported by steady job growth across key industries.
The sector recorded 5.6 percent growth, employing about 366,600 workers in 2025 and accounting for 16.3 percent of total private-sector employment.
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing followed closely, employing approximately 311,900 people and representing 13.9 percent of private-sector jobs, while wholesale and retail trade accounted for about 281,000 jobs (12.5 percent). The figures reflect continued reliance on both formal and informal trade activities as key sources of employment.
Other notable private-sector employers included financial and insurance activities, which grew by 4.4 percent to 77,600 workers; electricity, gas, steam, and air conditioning supply, at 5,400 workers (3.8 percent growth); and education, which employed about 251,100 workers, recording a 3.5 percent increase.
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Public administration and defence recorded the highest growth in public sector employment at 6.6 percent, employing about 375,100 workers.
It was followed by human health and social work activities at 59,500 workers (5.5 percent growth), and wholesale and retail trade at 2,200 workers (4.8 percent).
Despite overall growth, education and public administration remained the dominant employers in the public sector, accounting for 480,200 workers (44.9 percent) and 375,100 workers (35.1 percent) respectively.
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| Rank | Industry | Employment (Persons) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Education | 480,200 |
| 2 | Public administration & defence | 375,100 |
| 3 | Human health & social work | 59,500 |
| 4 | Agriculture, forestry & fishing | 42,700 |
| 5 | Transport & storage | 23,900 |
| 6 | Manufacturing | 22,000 |
| 7 | Financial & insurance activities | 12,100 |
| 8 | Water supply & waste management | 10,300 |
| 9 | Construction | 10,100 |
| 10 | Professional, scientific & technical | 7,200 |
| 11 | Arts, entertainment & recreation | 2,600 |
| 12 | Wholesale & retail trade | 2,200 |
| 13 | Information & communication | 2,000 |
| 14 | Accommodation & food services | 1,800 |
| 15 | Mining & quarrying | 700 |
