Domestic workers are trusted members of many Kenyan households. House helps, nannies, gardeners, drivers and cooks share our homes, care for our children and know our routines better than almost anyone. Most are honest, hard-working people who become part of the family. But because they have such close access, careful vetting domestic workers is one of the most important parts of home security.

This guide explains how to vet domestic workers fairly and thoroughly, how to protect your household without creating mistrust, and how to set routines that keep everyone, including the worker, safe.

Why vetting matters

A domestic worker usually knows:

• When the house is empty
• Where valuables, documents and keys are kept
• The family’s daily routine
• How the gate, alarm and locks work
• Who visits and when

In the rare cases where home security is compromised from the inside, it is often because someone with this knowledge shared it, sometimes innocently in conversation, sometimes under pressure, and occasionally deliberately. Vetting reduces this risk. It also protects honest workers, because a clear, fair process means everyone knows where they stand.

Vetting domestic workers step by step

Step 1: Recruit through reliable channels

Where you find a worker matters. Consider:

Step 2: Verify identity

Always see and copy the worker’s original national ID. Check that:

• The photo matches the person in front of you
• The name matches other documents and references
• The ID appears genuine and unaltered

Keep a copy securely, along with a recent passport-size photo and the worker’s phone numbers.

Step 3: Check references properly

References are only useful if you check them. Call previous employers directly, not just numbers provided on a piece of paper, and ask open questions:

1. How long did they work for you, and what did they do?
2. Why did they leave?
3. Did anything go missing while they worked for you?
4. How did they handle your children, keys and visitors?
5. Would you employ them again?

Listen for hesitation. A reference who is vague or unwilling to answer basic questions may be telling you something.

Step 4: Consider a police clearance certificate

Asking for a certificate of good conduct is increasingly common for domestic work, especially for nannies and drivers. Explain why you are asking, and be fair about timing, since obtaining one can take time.

Step 5: Agree a written contract

A simple written agreement protects both sides. It should cover:

• Duties and working hours
• Pay, pay date and any benefits
• Days off and leave
• House rules, including visitors and phone use
• Notice period on both sides

Fair, clear terms reduce disputes, and a worker who feels respected and fairly paid is more likely to stay loyal.

Step 6: Use a trial period

A short trial period lets both sides get to know each other. During this time, limit access to keys and valuables, and pay attention to reliability, honesty and how the worker interacts with children and visitors.

Setting household security routines

Vetting is the start. Good routines protect your household every day.

Key control

• Give workers only the keys they need
• Never leave spare keys in obvious places
• Keep a list of who holds which keys
• Change locks when a worker with keys leaves

Valuables and documents

• Keep cash, jewellery and documents in a locked place
• Avoid discussing valuables or large purchases in front of anyone outside the immediate family

Visitors

• Agree a clear rule: no visitors let in without your confirmation
• Make sure your guard also confirms every visitor with you, not with the worker
• Our security guard duties checklist explains how guards should handle this

Information

• Ask workers not to share your routine, travel plans or household details with outsiders
• Explain that criminals sometimes approach domestic workers casually to gather information

Alarm codes and gate access

• Give alarm codes only if necessary, and change them when a worker leaves
• Record worker arrival and departure times at the gate

Warning signs to watch for

Always act fairly. Suspicion is not proof, and false accusations damage trust and can create legal problems.

When a worker leaves

When a domestic worker leaves, whether on good terms or not:

1. Collect all keys, gate remotes and access cards
2. Change alarm codes and, if keys were held for a long time, locks
3. Tell your guard the worker has left and should not be let in without your approval
4. Update your records

The role of your guard

Your guard is part of the system that keeps domestic arrangements safe. A professional guard records worker arrival and departure, confirms visitors with you, and notices unusual activity at the gate. See our guide on hiring a home security guard in Nairobi.

Worked example: hiring a nanny in Westlands

A couple in Westlands needed a nanny for their toddler. They found a candidate through a friend, copied her ID, called two previous employers directly, and asked for a certificate of good conduct. They agreed a written contract with clear hours and pay, and a one-month trial. They gave her a key to the house but not the store, set a clear visitor rule, and briefed their guard to record her arrival and departure and to confirm all visitors with them. The nanny felt respected by the clear arrangements, and the family felt confident leaving their child in her care.

Balancing security and respect

Good vetting is not about treating workers as suspects. It is about fair, consistent processes that protect everyone. Explain your rules, apply them to everyone, pay fairly and treat workers with dignity. Most workers appreciate clarity, and it strengthens trust over time.

How Bestcare Security can help

Our residential security services include guards who record staff movement, confirm visitors with you and follow clear procedures. During a free home security assessment, we can also help you review key control, alarm codes and household routines. For a broader review, see our home security checklist for Nairobi homeowners.

Vetting domestic workers from agencies

Agencies can save time, but the level of screening varies widely. Before relying on an agency, ask exactly what it checks: does it verify ID against the original, call previous employers, request a certificate of good conduct, and keep records of placements? Ask what happens if a placement does not work out, and whether the agency has a replacement policy. Even with a reputable agency, do your own reference calls. Vetting domestic workers is your responsibility as the employer, and a few phone calls are worth the effort.

Caring for workers’ own safety

Security runs both ways. Domestic workers can also be targets: approached on the road for information, pressured by acquaintances, or put at risk when criminals enter a home. Make sure your worker knows how to call for help, knows the guard and neighbours, and knows they will not be blamed for reporting something suspicious. A worker who feels safe and supported is much more likely to tell you when something is wrong.

A simple record-keeping template

Keep a single page for each worker, stored securely:

Frequently asked questions

How do I start vetting domestic workers?

Verify their national ID, check references by calling previous employers directly, consider a certificate of good conduct, agree a written contract and use a trial period.

Should I ask a house help for a certificate of good conduct?

It is increasingly common, especially for nannies and drivers. Explain why you are asking and allow reasonable time to obtain it.

What should I do if items go missing?

Record what is missing and when, review who had access, and act calmly and fairly. Avoid accusations without evidence.

Should my domestic worker know the alarm code?

Only if necessary for their role. If they do, change the code when they leave.

How can my guard help?

Your guard should record worker arrival and departure, confirm all visitors with you and report anything unusual.

What should I do when a worker leaves?

Collect keys and remotes, change codes and, if needed, locks, and tell your guard.

Is it rude to vet domestic workers?

No. Fair, consistent vetting protects both your family and honest workers.

Can Bestcare Security review my home routines?

Yes. Call 0709 004 600 for a free home security assessment.

Related reading

• Home Security Checklist for Nairobi Homeowners: 40 Things to Check
• Perimeter Wall and Gate Security in Kenya: A Homeowner's Guide
• Electric Fence vs Razor Wire in Kenya: Which Is Better for Your Home?

Explore our residential security services or see all our security services in Kenya.