Legal Jobs in Kenya: Lawyer Salaries and How to Get Hired

Updated 2026-11-10

Legal jobs in Kenya range from advocate roles in law firms to legal officers in government, in-house counsel at companies, compliance officers at banks and paralegals in NGOs. Who can do which job depends on one thing above all: whether you are admitted as an advocate. This guide explains the routes, what public legal posts pay, and where the vacancies appear.

Where legal jobs are advertised

Government: the Office of the Attorney General, the Judiciary, commissions and independent offices, state corporations and county governments all employ legal officers, and advertise on their own sites. IPOA advertised Legal Officer II posts in October 2026; Makueni County recruited a Director of Legal Affairs in November 2026.
Law firms hire associates and pupils, often through referrals and their websites.
Companies and banks hire in-house counsel and compliance officers.
NGOs and international organisations hire legal officers for human rights, refugee protection and governance programmes.
Verified open posts are listed under legal jobs, each linked to its official advert.

What legal jobs pay in public service

Post	Employer and grade	Basic salary per month
Legal Officer II	IPOA, grade IPOA 9 (October 2026)	KSh 90,000 - 130,000 (consolidated)
Director, Legal Affairs	Makueni County, CPSB 3 (Job Group R)	KSh 127,340 - 182,890

County legal posts follow the CPSB scale (see every grade on the salary scales page); state agencies set their own grades. Private law firm pay varies by firm size and practice area, and pupils are often paid a modest stipend.

Becoming an advocate in Kenya

A law degree (LLB) from a recognised university.
The Advocates Training Programme at the Kenya School of Law, which includes pupillage under a practising advocate.
The bar examination set by the Council of Legal Education.
Admission to the roll of advocates of the High Court, then an annual practising certificate from the Law Society of Kenya. Most legal officer adverts in government require admission and a current practising certificate.

Legal jobs without admission

Paralegal and legal assistant roles in law firms, NGOs and legal aid centres take diploma holders and law graduates awaiting the bar.
Compliance, contracts and company secretarial roles: compliance needs a law or business background, and company secretaries in Kenya qualify through the CS (Certified Secretary) qualification.
Legal researchers and court clerks in the Judiciary and Parliament.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a lawyer earn in Kenya?

In public service, IPOA’s October 2026 advert for Legal Officer II offers a consolidated KSh 90,000 to 130,000 a month, and Makueni County’s Director of Legal Affairs (CPSB 3) earns a basic KSh 127,340 to 182,890. Law firm pay varies by firm and practice area.

How do I become an advocate in Kenya?

Complete an LLB, the Advocates Training Programme at the Kenya School of Law (including pupillage), and the Council of Legal Education bar examination. You are then admitted as an advocate and take out an annual practising certificate from the Law Society of Kenya.

Can I get a legal job before passing the bar?

Yes: paralegal, legal assistant, legal researcher and compliance roles are open to law graduates and diploma holders. Advocate and most legal officer posts require admission.

Where can I find legal jobs in Kenya today?

Government, commission and county careers pages, law firm and company websites, and NGOs. The board lists verified open legal posts with links to the official adverts.