Hiring a Web Developer in Kenya from Abroad: Payments and Contracts Across Time Zones
Short answer: hiring a web developer in Kenya from abroad works well when three things are clear from day one: how you pay (in US dollars through PayPal or Wise is common), when you talk (Kenya is on East Africa Time, UTC+3, which overlaps with Europe, the Middle East and the US morning) and what the contract says about price, ownership and support. Get those right and a Kenyan team can deliver the same quality you’d expect at home, often faster and for less.
We’ve built websites and systems for clients in Kenya and abroad since 2012. Below is what we’ve learned about making remote projects run smoothly, and what to check before you hire anyone. If you’re outside Kenya, our page for international clients explains how we work with you.
Why businesses abroad hire web developers in Kenya
- Strong technical talent. Nairobi is one of Africa’s biggest tech hubs, with deep experience in WordPress, e-commerce, mobile money and custom systems.
- English as a working language. Briefs, calls, documents and code comments are all in English.
- Useful time-zone overlap with the UK, Europe, the Gulf and, in the morning, North America.
- Good value. You pay a fair price for experienced developers without cutting corners on quality.
Time zones: how much do your working hours overlap?
Kenya is on East Africa Time (EAT), UTC+3 all year round, with no daylight saving. Our office hours are Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm EAT.
| Where you are | Time difference from Kenya | Overlap with our working day |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 2 to 3 hours behind | Most of the working day |
| Germany, France, Netherlands | 1 to 2 hours behind | Most of the working day |
| UAE and the Gulf | 1 hour ahead | Almost the full day |
| US East Coast | 7 to 8 hours behind | Your early morning, our afternoon |
| US West Coast | 10 to 11 hours behind | Short window: your early morning, our late afternoon |
| Australia (Sydney) | 7 to 8 hours ahead | Your afternoon, our morning |
Even with a small overlap, the difference often helps. You send feedback at the end of your day and wake up to the changes on your preview link. We agree a regular call slot at the start, plus a shared channel (email, WhatsApp or Slack) for quick questions.
How payments work when you’re abroad
Paying a Kenyan developer is simpler than most people expect:
- Currency: we quote international clients in US dollars, so there are no surprises from exchange rates.
- Methods: PayPal or Wise for US dollars. Clients in Kenya pay by M-Pesa or bank transfer.
- Schedule: a 60% deposit before work starts and the balance at launch. Larger projects can be split into milestones.
- Invoices: every payment gets a proper invoice for your records.
Be wary of anyone who asks for 100% upfront, or who won’t give you a written quote before you pay. For typical prices, see our website cost guide for Kenya and our pricing page.
What your contract or quote should cover
Whether you hire a freelancer or an agency, put these in writing before work starts:
- Scope: the pages, features and integrations included, and what isn’t.
- Price: a fixed price, not an estimate. Ours is a fixed written quote that doesn’t change once you accept it.
- Timeline: key dates and what you need to provide. Our timelines are guidelines, and many sites launch earlier.
- Payment terms: deposit, balance and method.
- Ownership: you should own the website, the code, the content and the domain. With us, the client owns the site.
- Access: hosting, domain and admin logins in your name or shared with you.
- Handover: training so your team can update the site. We include handover training on every project.
- Support after launch: what happens when something breaks, and what ongoing care costs.
Freelancer or agency?
A freelancer can be a good fit for a small, well-defined job. For a business website or system you’ll rely on for years, an agency usually means less risk: designers, developers and SEO in one team, cover when someone is away, and a company that will still be there next year. Our checklist on how to choose a web design company in Nairobi lists the questions to ask either way.
How a remote project runs with us
- Discovery call on video at a time that suits your time zone.
- Fixed written quote in US dollars with the scope, timeline and any yearly costs.
- 60% deposit by PayPal or Wise, then the build starts.
- Preview link you can review from anywhere, with feedback rounds by email or call.
- Launch, balance and handover training on a video call, recorded if you like.
A typical business website takes about a week once the content is ready. See how long it takes to build a website and our process for the details.
What can you hire a Kenyan team to build?
- Business websites and WordPress development
- Online shops with card, PayPal and M-Pesa payments
- Web applications and customer portals
- White-label development for agencies abroad
- Ongoing WordPress maintenance through a care plan
Red flags when hiring remotely
- No fixed written quote, or a price that keeps moving.
- The domain or hosting registered in the developer’s name, not yours.
- No portfolio of live sites you can visit.
- No clear answer on who supports the site after launch.
- Slow or vague replies before you’ve even paid.
We’re rated 5.0 on Google, with 14+ years of experience and 1,200+ projects delivered since 2012.
Frequently asked questions
Can I hire a web developer in Kenya if I live abroad?
Yes. Most of the work happens online: discovery calls on video, reviews on a private preview link and feedback by email or chat. We work with clients in Kenya and abroad.
How do I pay a web developer in Kenya from abroad?
International clients usually pay in US dollars by PayPal or Wise. We take a 60% deposit before work starts and the balance at launch, with an invoice for each payment.
What time zone is Kenya in?
Kenya is on East Africa Time (UTC+3) all year, with no daylight saving. That overlaps with most of the UK and European working day and with the US morning.
Will I own the website?
You should. With us, the client owns the site, the content and the domain, and we hand over training and logins at launch.
Can the price change during the project?
Not with us. You get a fixed written quote, and it does not change once you accept it. New features you add later are quoted separately.
Hiring from abroad?
Tell us about your project and your time zone, and we will suggest a call slot that suits you. During working hours (Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm EAT) we reply within minutes on phone or WhatsApp at +254 705 828 000.
Prefer it in writing? Request a quote.
Written by Vincent Ochieng, founder of Butterfly Prime Solutions (since 2012). Last updated: 24 October 2026.
