Event report

Webinar with Pannike + Partners and SMC Legal

Immigration & Employment Law for Foreign Nationals in Kenya.

Today, we had the privilege of hosting a timely and informative webinar session in partnership with Pannike+Partners and Sarange Mwaniki & Company Advocates, focusing on immigration & employment law frameworks applicable to foreign nationals in Kenya.

The discussion, expertly led by Divinah Ongaki, Gregor Pannike, LL.M., MBA and Laurettah Nyanchoka covered key legal, regulatory and compliance considerations, including:
Types of work permits & passes: From Class D (employment) and Class G (investment) to the new Class N (digital nomads), understanding which permit applies is essential for compliance.
Employer responsibilities: Under section 45 of the Kenya Citizenship and immigration act, employers must ensure foreign workers hold valid permits, non-compliance carries legal penalties.

Secondments from the UAE to Kenya: A deep dive into structuring compliant secondments, addressing immigration status, employment relationships, tax residency risks, and regulatory obligations.
Best Practices: Early permit applications via EFNS, use of split payroll models, clear secondment agreements defining roles, reporting & repatriation terms and awareness of permanent establishment (PE) risk and data protection obligations.

This session highlighted the complexity of cross-border workforce management and the importance of staying ahead of regulatory developments.

A big thank you to all who attended and engaged with insightful questions!