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Housekeepers, nannies, cooks and Mama Fuas keep thousands of Kenyan homes running. Yet hiring one is still mostly done by word of mouth, and many domestic workers struggle to find steady, fairly paid clients. This guide is for both sides: households looking for reliable help, and domestic workers who want to be found, trusted and paid on clear terms. Why hiring domestic help in Kenya feels risky For most families the process looks the same: ask a neighbour, ask a WhatsApp group, or call a bureau and hope for the best. That leaves gaps on both sides. Households rarely know a worker's real experience, references or the exact services they offer before the first day. Workers often agree to vague duties and verbal terms, which makes it easy for hours to grow while pay stays the same. Nobody has a record. When a good arrangement ends, the worker has no profile or reviews to show the next client, and the household starts the search again from zero. Moving part of this process online does not replace trust built in person, but it gives both sides more information before they commit. How a directory changes domestic work On Cottlink, service providers can create a business profile that lists what they do, where they work and how to reach them. Clients can browse by category and location and contact providers directly, without a middleman taking a cut of every job. For domestic work this matters in three ways: Clear services. A profile can spell out exactly what is offered: laundry and ironing, general cleaning, cooking, child care, day jobs or live-out work. Location. Clients can look for help in their own neighbourhood, which cuts transport time and cost for the worker. A lasting presence. A profile stays up between jobs, so a worker builds visibility over time instead of starting over with every new household. You can browse current providers under Cleaning Services and Laundry & Dry Cleaning, or read our neighbourhood guide to Mama Fua services in Kasarani. For households: how to hire domestic help well 1. Write down the job first Before you contact anyone, list the tasks, the days and hours, and whether the job is live-in, live-out or a few days a week. Most disagreements start because the job was never defined. 2. Shortlist and ask the right questions Which tasks have you done before, and for how long? Can you share a reference I can call? Which days and hours suit you, and how do you get here? Is there anything you do not do (for example, ironing, cooking or child care)? 3. Agree pay and terms in writing Agree the rate, how and when you will pay (M-Pesa or cash), what happens on public holidays and how much notice either side gives. A short written note or WhatsApp message that both of you confirm protects everyone. For live-in or full-time arrangements, check the current minimum wage and employment rules that apply in your area. 4. Start with a trial One or two paid trial days let both sides see whether the arrangement works before committing to more. 5. Respect boundaries Clear roles and respectful communication keep good workers. Our guide to house help boundaries covers how to keep the relationship professional. For domestic workers: how to get found and paid fairly Create a clear profile Listing on Cottlink is free on the Basic package. A good profile includes: Your services, in plain words: "laundry and ironing", "deep cleaning", "nanny for under-5s". The areas you cover, such as your estate and nearby neighbourhoods. The days you are available. A working phone number and, if you have one, a WhatsApp number. A clear, friendly photo. Set your own terms Decide your rates for common jobs (a day of laundry, a full house clean) before clients call. When you quote with confidence, clients take you more seriously, and you avoid agreeing to extra tasks for no extra pay. Ask happy clients to vouch for you Every good job is a chance to get a reference or a recommendation to a neighbour. Over time, this is what turns occasional day j