Nairobi's cleaning scene is busy and growing. Households across the city hire regular help, deep cleans typically start around KSh 9,500, and standard apartment cleans run roughly KSh 2,000 to KSh 10,000 depending on size. For cleaners, demand is steady across residential estates, offices and short-let apartments, and platforms like CQD New Gen let you find work directly and keep 100% of what you earn.
Nairobi is one of East Africa's fastest-moving cities, and busy professional households increasingly treat cleaning help as a normal part of life rather than a luxury. Whether you clean for a living or you need a reliable pair of hands at home, here is a practical, local look at how cleaning works in Nairobi in 2026.
Finding cleaning work in Nairobi
Nairobi has a large and active market for cleaners, house helps and office cleaning staff. Work shows up across the whole city, from family homes in Karen, Runda and Lavington to apartments in Kilimani, Kileleshwa and Westlands, and offices along Ngong Road, Upper Hill and the CBD. Short-let and Airbnb turnover cleaning around Westlands and Parklands has also grown, which suits cleaners who prefer flexible, per-job work.
Typical earnings vary by role and area. Live-out and domestic cleaners commonly earn in the range of KSh 16,000 to KSh 25,000 per month, while experienced cleaners working in high-end estates such as Karen, Runda and Gigiri can earn KSh 25,000 to KSh 35,000 or more. Per-hour and per-job cleaning is often the better earner if you build a steady client base, since one-off deep cleans and move-out jobs pay significantly more than routine work.
You can browse and apply for local roles on the Nairobi cleaning jobs board. CQD New Gen is free to join, there is no commission taken from your pay, and you keep everything you earn. Set up your profile once and let clients find you: create your free cleaner profile.
Hiring a cleaner in Nairobi
If you are a household or business looking for help, Nairobi offers everything from occasional deep cleans to full-time live-in house helps. Knowing typical rates helps you budget and avoid overpaying.
Here is what pricing tends to look like in 2026:
- Hourly cleaning: from around KSh 250 per hour, depending on the task and area.
- Standard apartment clean: roughly KSh 2,000 to KSh 4,000 for a 1 to 2 bedroom, KSh 4,000 to KSh 6,000 for a 3 to 4 bedroom.
- Large houses (5+ bedrooms): around KSh 6,000 to KSh 10,000 per clean.
- Deep cleaning: from about KSh 9,500.
- Move-in or move-out cleaning: from about KSh 12,000.
- Full-time domestic worker: commonly KSh 16,000 to KSh 35,000 per month depending on experience and estate.
A travel supplement of roughly KSh 1,000 to KSh 2,500 is common for jobs outside central Nairobi, so factor that in if you are in outer estates like Kitengela, Rongai or Ruaka.
To find someone reliable near you, post your requirement on the hire a cleaner in Nairobi page. Posting a job is free, and you can browse local cleaners directly. Sign up as an employer for free to get started.
Popular cleaning services in Nairobi
Different homes and businesses need different things. The most requested services across Nairobi are:
- Domestic cleaning for regular weekly or fortnightly upkeep of homes and apartments.
- Deep cleaning for a thorough top-to-bottom reset, popular before hosting or after renovations.
- End of tenancy cleaning for tenants moving out and landlords preparing units in areas like Kilimani and Westlands.
- Commercial cleaning for offices, shops and co-working spaces in Upper Hill and the CBD.
Key facts
- One-hour cleaning in Nairobi typically starts from around KSh 250 per hour, varying by task, area and experience.
- Standard apartment cleans generally range from KSh 2,000 to KSh 10,000 depending on size.
- Deep cleaning usually starts from about KSh 9,500, and move-in or move-out cleaning from about KSh 12,000.
- Domestic and live-out cleaners commonly earn KSh 16,000 to KSh 25,000 per month, rising to KSh 25,000 to KSh 35,000 in premium estates like Karen, Runda and Gigiri.
- A travel supplement of KSh 1,000 to KSh 2,500 often applies for jobs outside central Nairobi.
- Demand is strongest in professional-household estates and around short-let apartments in Westlands, Kilimani and Parklands.
Whether you are hiring help or looking for cleaning work in Nairobi, you can get started for free at www.cqdnewgen.ai.
FAQ
How much does a cleaner cost in Nairobi?
A one-hour clean typically starts from around KSh 250, while a standard apartment clean ranges from about KSh 2,000 to KSh 10,000 depending on size. Deep cleans usually start near KSh 9,500 and move-out cleans from about KSh 12,000.
How much do cleaners earn per month in Nairobi?
Domestic and live-out cleaners commonly earn between KSh 16,000 and KSh 25,000 per month. Experienced cleaners in high-end estates such as Karen, Runda and Gigiri can earn KSh 25,000 to KSh 35,000 or more.
Where is the demand for cleaners highest in Nairobi?
Demand is strongest in professional-household estates like Karen, Runda, Lavington and Kileleshwa, and around short-let apartments in Westlands, Kilimani and Parklands. Offices in Upper Hill and the CBD also hire regular commercial cleaners.
Is it free to find cleaning work or hire a cleaner on CQD New Gen?
Yes. Joining is free, posting a job is free, and cleaners keep 100% of what they earn with no commission taken. You can create a profile or post a requirement in a few minutes.
What cleaning services can I book in Nairobi?
The most common are domestic cleaning for regular upkeep, deep cleaning for a full reset, end of tenancy cleaning for moves, and commercial cleaning for offices and shops. You can match with local cleaners for any of these directly on CQD New Gen.