Glossary term
Casual Labour
Casual labour is work engaged by the day or task rather than on a permanent contract. Most fundis on a Kenyan construction site are casual labour, paid at the end of the day or week.
Construction in Kenya is built mostly by casual labour. A fundi is engaged for a day, a task or a week and paid accordingly. Casual does not mean unrecorded, though — wages, days and deductions still need a paper trail.
Updated October 17, 2026 · Glossary
What makes work casual
Casual labour is engaged without a long-term contract, often by the day or for a defined task. The worker may be called back the next day if there is work. It is the norm for masons, helpers and general hands on Kenyan sites.
Rights that still apply
Casual status does not remove basic rights. Employers are expected to keep records of wages and days worked, pay at least the gazetted minimum wage for the trade and municipality, deduct statutory contributions such as PAYE, NSSF and SHIF where they apply, and provide a payslip.
Why the record matters
Casual labour moves fast, so the site record is the only thing that keeps wages honest. A locked digital muster roll shows who actually worked and for how long, which protects the fundi's pay and the contractor's costs at the same time.
Frequently asked questions
Are casual workers entitled to minimum wage?
Yes. Casual construction labour should be paid at least the gazetted minimum wage for the relevant trade and municipality. Rates are reviewed annually, so check the current wage order.
Do casual workers get a payslip?
Employers should give workers a record of their pay. On FundiPay each casual fundi receives a digital payslip by M-Pesa showing gross pay and any statutory deductions.
Can casuals be paid in cash?
Cash is still common but hard to evidence. Paying wages by M-Pesa B2C gives every worker an SMS and a traceable record, which is safer for both the fundi and the contractor.
Keep reading
Glossary
Muster Roll
The daily attendance record of every worker on a construction site — the document payroll is built from.
Guides
Construction Minimum Wage Guide
An employer's guide to Kenya's construction minimum wage, the gazetted wage order, casual and trade rates, and avoiding underpayment disputes.
Guides
Muster Roll Requirements in Kenya
What Kenyan construction sites must record about workers, why NCA expects a muster roll kept on site, and how a digital roll satisfies and strengthens an audit.