Application Letter for a Job in Kenya: Format and Samples

An application letter tells an employer who you are, which job you want and why you fit it. Below is the format Kenyan employers expect, a sample you can copy, and examples by job title. Browse 0 examples by job title, then edit one on your phone or laptop in our cover letter builder for 30.00 KES.

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How to write an application letter for a job

  1. 1

    Put your details and the date at the top

    Write your name, phone number, email and town. Add the date, then the name and address of the employer or the hiring manager.

  2. 2

    Write a subject line

    Name the job and the reference number from the advert, for example "Application for the position of Accounts Assistant, Ref: ACC/04".

  3. 3

    Open with the job and where you saw it

    In one or two sentences, say which job you are applying for, where you saw the advert, and who you are.

  4. 4

    Show why you fit the job

    Use one or two short paragraphs. Match your strongest experience, skills and results to the requirements in the advert. Use facts you can prove.

  5. 5

    Close and sign off

    Say your CV is attached, that you are available for an interview, and thank the reader. End with "Yours faithfully," if you do not know the name, or "Yours sincerely," if you do.

Sample application letters you can copy and edit

The names, numbers, companies and results in these samples are placeholders for the example. Replace every detail with your own, and keep only facts that are true for you. Never copy a sample word for word.

Application letter for a job advertised online

Use this when you have the job advert, a reference number and some experience.

Jane Wanjiru

P.O. Box 1234-00100, Nairobi

0700 000 000 | jane.wanjiru@example.com

12 March 2026

The Human Resource Manager

Example Company Ltd

P.O. Box 5678-00100, Nairobi

Dear Sir/Madam,

RE: APPLICATION FOR THE POSITION OF ACCOUNTS ASSISTANT

I am writing to apply for the position of Accounts Assistant advertised on your website on 10 March 2026. I hold a Diploma in Accounting (CPA Section 4) and have three years of experience in bookkeeping and reconciliations.

In my current role at ABC Traders, I post and reconcile about 300 transactions a month, prepare the monthly supplier statements, and support the annual audit. I use Excel and QuickBooks daily. These are the skills your advert asks for.

My CV is attached. I would welcome the chance to meet you for an interview and can start at one month’s notice.

Yours faithfully,

Jane Wanjiru

Application letter with no experience (fresh graduate)

Use this when you have just finished college or university and have no formal job yet.

Brian Otieno

P.O. Box 4321-40100, Kisumu

0711 000 000 | brian.otieno@example.com

5 May 2026

The Human Resource Officer

Example Sacco Society Ltd

Dear Sir/Madam,

RE: APPLICATION FOR THE POSITION OF CUSTOMER SERVICE OFFICER

I am applying for the position of Customer Service Officer advertised in the Daily Nation on 3 May 2026. I graduated in April 2026 with a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Example University.

I have no full-time work experience yet, but I spent three months on attachment at a retail shop, where I served about 40 customers a day, handled M-Pesa payments and kept the daily sales record. In my final year I led a group project of five students and presented it to our lecturers.

I am a quick learner and I am comfortable speaking English, Kiswahili and Dholuo. My CV is attached, and I am available for an interview at any time.

Yours faithfully,

Brian Otieno

Application letter for attachment or internship

Use this when you are a student asking for industrial attachment, an internship or practical training.

Faith Mwende

P.O. Box 9876-90100, Machakos

0722 000 000 | faith.mwende@example.com

20 January 2026

The Human Resource Manager

Example Hospital

Dear Sir/Madam,

RE: APPLICATION FOR INDUSTRIAL ATTACHMENT, MAY TO AUGUST 2026

I am a third-year student of Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science at Example University. I am writing to request an attachment placement in your laboratory department from May to August 2026.

I have completed the units in clinical chemistry, haematology and microbiology, and I have practised these in our university laboratory. My university requires me to complete twelve weeks of attachment, and I would like to do it with you to learn from a working laboratory.

I attach my CV, my attachment request letter from the university and my academic transcript. Thank you for considering my request.

Yours faithfully,

Faith Mwende

Registration No: XXX/0000/2023

Application letter for an NGO or programme job

Use this when the advert asks for field experience, community work or reporting skills.

Samuel Kiprono

P.O. Box 2468-30100, Eldoret

0733 000 000 | samuel.kiprono@example.com

8 June 2026

The Country Director

Example Foundation

Dear Sir/Madam,

RE: APPLICATION FOR THE POSITION OF PROGRAMME OFFICER, REF: EF/PO/06

I am applying for the position of Programme Officer (Ref: EF/PO/06). I hold a Bachelor of Arts in Community Development and have four years of experience running youth and livelihood projects in Uasin Gishu County.

In my current role I coordinate 12 self-help groups, collect monthly monitoring data in KoboToolbox and write the quarterly donor report. Your advert asks for field coordination, data collection and report writing, and I do all three every month.

I have attached my CV and the contacts of three referees. I would be glad to meet you for an interview.

Yours faithfully,

Samuel Kiprono

Short application letter to paste in an email

Use this when the advert says "send your application and CV to this email address".

Subject: Application for Sales Representative – Mercy Achieng

Dear Hiring Manager,

I am applying for the Sales Representative position advertised on 15 July 2026. I have two years of experience selling household goods in Nairobi and I met my monthly target in ten of the last twelve months.

My CV is attached as a PDF. I can attend an interview at any time and can be reached on 0744 000 000.

Kind regards,

Mercy Achieng

Mistakes to avoid in an application letter

  • Sending the same letter to every employer

    Change the job title, the employer’s name and the skills you mention for each advert. A letter that could go to any company is easy to ignore.

  • Repeating your CV

    The letter should say why you fit this job. Pick the two or three facts from your CV that match the advert, and leave the rest for the CV.

  • Writing a very long letter

    Keep it to one page. If a paragraph does not help you get this job, remove it.

  • Spelling and name mistakes

    Read the letter aloud before you send it, and check the employer’s name and the job title twice.

  • Claiming things that are not true

    Do not invent experience, results or qualifications. An employer can ask about anything you write, in the interview and in reference checks.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I write an application letter for a job in Kenya?

Put your details and the date at the top, then the employer’s details, then a subject line naming the job. Open by saying which job you are applying for and where you saw it. Use one or two paragraphs to match your experience to the advert, and close by saying your CV is attached and that you are available for an interview. Keep it to one page.

What is the format of an application letter?

Your address and contact details, the date, the employer’s name and address, a greeting, a subject line, the body (opening, why you fit, closing), a sign-off, and your name. Use "Yours faithfully" when you do not know the reader’s name and "Yours sincerely" when you do.

What is the difference between an application letter and a cover letter?

In Kenya the two terms are used for the same document: the letter that goes with your CV when you apply for a job. Some employers say "cover letter" and others say "application letter". Follow the wording in the advert.

How long should an application letter be?

One page, in three to four short paragraphs. If the advert asks for a letter by email, you can paste it in the email body and attach your CV.

Can I write an application letter with no experience?

Yes. Write about your training, attachment or internship, volunteer work, and the skills you used there. Name the skills the advert asks for and say where you used them. Do not claim experience you do not have.

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