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CV format for Kenya

Keep a Kenyan CV to two pages: a short profile, experience, education (degree class and KCSE for graduates), skills and two or three referees. Public-service employers also ask for clearance documents such as a KRA tax compliance certificate and a Certificate of Good Conduct; have them ready, but don't attach them unless asked. Want a Kenyan CV sample PDF? Build yours from the sample below and download it.

Build my CVCheck my ATS scoreUpdated 4 October 2026

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Kenyan CV format at a glance

Length
Two pages; one to two for graduates.
Education
Degree and class (Second Class Upper), university, year; KCSE mean grade for recent graduates.
Referees
Two or three referees with title, organisation, phone and email.
Clearances
Public-service adverts ask for KRA tax compliance, Certificate of Good Conduct (DCI), HELB clearance, CRB report and EACC clearance under Chapter Six; private employers may ask for some of them. Attach only when asked.
Personal details
Phone, email, town. Leave out ID number, religion and marital status.
Where to look
BrighterMonday, MyJobMag, LinkedIn, Fuzu, the Public Service Commission portal and company sites.

CV sample for Kenya

A made-up person, in the layout described on this page. Build yours with any CVEmber template and download it as a PDF.

Kenyan CV sample (graduate, IT)

Brian Otieno

BSc Computer Science · Junior software developer

Nairobi · +254 7xx xxx xxx · brian.otieno@example.com · github.com/example-botieno

Profile

  • Computer Science graduate with a year building M-Pesa payment integrations for SMEs; looking for a junior developer role.

Experience

  • Software Developer (attachment and contract), Savannah Tech Solutions, Nairobi · 2025–2026 · Built M-Pesa Daraja integrations for 14 merchants; cut failed payment callbacks by 60%.

Education

  • BSc Computer Science, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology · Second Class Upper · 2025
  • KCSE · 2020 · Mean grade A-

Skills

  • Python, Django, JavaScript, PostgreSQL, M-Pesa Daraja API, Git

Referees

  • Dr. Grace Wanjiru, Lecturer, JKUAT · +254 7xx xxx xxx
  • Mr. Peter Kamau, Lead Developer, Savannah Tech Solutions · +254 7xx xxx xxx
  • Ms. Faith Achieng, Project Manager, Savannah Tech Solutions · +254 7xx xxx xxx

Clearance documents (Chapter Six)

Public-service appointments check integrity under Chapter Six of the Constitution, and private employers may ask for some of the same documents. The usual five are a KRA tax compliance certificate, a Certificate of Good Conduct from the DCI, HELB clearance, a CRB report and EACC clearance. Apply early through each agency rather than waiting for an offer.

When the clearances are due

It depends on the advert, so read it closely. A KASNEB advert from August 2026 asked only appointed candidates to provide the five documents before the offer, in compliance with Chapter 6. A Makueni County Public Service Board advert from November 2025 asked applicants to submit valid clearances from KRA, EACC, HELB, a CRB and the DCI with the application itself.

What a public-sector application pack holds

The same adverts show what goes with the CV: certified copies of academic and professional certificates, transcripts, testimonials, a copy of your national ID or passport and a current phone number. KASNEB also asked for the names and addresses of three referees and the reference number of the post in the application letter. Your CV should match those documents line for line: same titles, same dates, same grades.

Graduates and attachments

Your industrial attachment is experience: organisation, dates and what you delivered. Add projects and certifications, and keep it to one or two pages.

Kenyan CV samples PDF: what goes in each section

  1. Contact: name, phone (+254), email, town, LinkedIn or GitHub.
  2. Profile: three lines on your role and what you offer.
  3. Experience: organisation, role, dates and results; attachments and internships count.
  4. Education: degree and class, institution, year; KCSE for recent graduates.
  5. Skills and certifications: CPA, CIFA, ICDL, professional registrations.
  6. Referees: two or three, with permission; use three if the advert asks.

Common mistakes in Kenya

  • Copies of certificates and IDs attached when the advert didn't ask.
  • An ID number, date of birth or religion on the CV.
  • Referees who don't know they'll be called.
  • Applying for public-service jobs without starting the clearance applications early.

When you resign

The Kenyan resignation letter covers notice under the Employment Act, final dues and your Certificate of Service.

Sources

Checked on 4 October 2026. Employers and portals change what they ask for, so always follow the job advert first.

FAQ

Questions, answered.

How long should a CV be in Kenya?

Two pages for experienced candidates; one to two for graduates.

How many referees should I include?

Two or three: recent supervisors or lecturers, with their permission. Some public-sector adverts ask for three.

Do I attach my Certificate of Good Conduct?

Only when asked. Public-service adverts request it along with KRA, HELB, CRB and EACC clearances, sometimes with the application and sometimes before the offer; have them ready.

Should I include my KCSE grade?

Yes as a recent graduate; later, your degree is enough unless the advert asks.

Should I put my ID number on my CV?

No. Give it on the application form when required.

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