For the first time, women earning over Sh100,000 per month in Kenya’s formal sector have surpassed men, signaling progress in narrowing the gender pay gap among top earners.

Data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) revealed that 14,268 of the 15,252 new six-figure earners in 2023 were women, compared to just 1,256 men.

This marked a significant shift, especially considering the decline in female six-figure earners in 2022.

Kenyans have reacted to the news trying to make sense of the report. Read some of those comments below:

Sholla Ard ?? @sholard_mancity This has to do with the fact that when people talk about gender equality, it's usually about the top jobs. The lower, dirty jobs in society are left to men. Most of these jobs in Kenya pay peanuts.

OTIENO @OtienoJack7 This data suggests a significant gender disparity where women outnumber men considerably in the high-earning bracket, which is an interesting shift from traditional norms.

Bro From Siaya @_Sakko I now understand why there are so many broken families and several new small cars on the roads ?

OTIENO @OtienoJack7 This trend warrants further analysis to understand underlying factors and to ensure that this growth translates into broader economic empowerment and not just a statistical anomaly. Wet Waters

?????? @WatersWet86791 Right, explains why the last time I was in Nairobi, out of every (av.) 3 cars I saw, none had a male driver. I could only easily spot male drivers in trucks and matatus—obviously employed to drive. ?? Kenyan men, endeleeni tu kukazia opportunities for your fellow men.

Nyabasa Danvas @NyabasaDanvas WTH! Men were endangered species!

Nhial @0xnhial Interesting. What are the ladies doing right that the gents have overlooked?

@Herstory104 In this government, women are eating good and being eaten too. Us men, God is for us.

Ng'eno Kobur ?? @nkobur Affirmative action, which is another word for gender discrimination, is doing its job well. I hear no one saying we should equalize this.

Mosoti ?? @Philsmosoti Being a man ain't easy. That's why jogoo huamka 3am kupiga kelele.

Ochieng Mwangaza @OchiengMaloKE The ladies are now spending 18k on skincare, and the men are angry!

Katiku @Katik_u Men will always be men. Favouring women and casting out men.

Korir Edward @f1liveke These are white-collar jobs. In the real hustle, men make good money in other things.

Kibet Kirwa @Kirwakibe This is true considering that sisi ni watu wa mjengo na we also engage in menial jobs. We also run errands. We pay bills while they don't. Fair play to women empowerment.

Mugambi G. @Mugambi24 The 'providers' are down. Nimeona hata kwa ground, the same is evident.

Sajid abu Sajid @AlhajiKe The data must have been from political appointments in government. Informal sectors get more racks but are not accounted for.


Some more data from the report

In 2023, women accounted for 139,847 of the 387,418 super earners, while men comprised 247,571. 

Of the total 3.138 million formal workers, 42.2 percent earned below Sh50,000 monthly, while only 12.3 percent made over Sh100,000.

The private sector employs the majority (67.64 percent) of top earners, with 262,047 individuals taking home over Sh100,000, compared to 125,371 in the public sector.

Key industries contributing to the six-figure salary bracket include education, wholesale and retail trade, human health, and finance.

The education sector led with 89,125 earners, followed by wholesale and retail (46,911), human health (39,643), and agriculture (35,144). Financial services and manufacturing added 32,941 and 30,491 top earners, respectively.