Back to search
Unit Group (L4) • 9214

9214 — Garden And Horticultural

9 ELEMENTARY OCCUPATIONS› 92 Agricultural, Forestry, Fishery and Related Labourers› 921 Farm-Hands And Related Labourers› 9214 Garden And Horticultural

Explore overview, tasks, skills, education, work context, earnings, and pathways for this Unit Group.

L4 CODE: 9214
Job summary
  • Garden And Horticultural (KeSCO 9214) supports outcomes in the Elementary Occupations sector by applying job-specific knowledge
  • standards
  • and tools to deliver quality services or outputs. Duties and complexity vary by employer
  • work setting
  • and seniority level
  • but the occupation generally requires reliability
  • competence
  • and continuous learning.
Minimum entry requirement summary
Basic education (KCPE/KCSE) and physical ability
Future outlook
  • Future trends such as digital transformation
  • automation
  • climate resilience
  • and changing consumer needs are shaping most occupations. Workers who continuously upskill (digital literacy
  • quality standards
  • safety
  • customer service
  • and modern tools) are more resilient and competitive.
Sectors and industries
Elementary OccupationsGeneral LabourCleaningSupport ServicesInformal EconomyPublic Space Services
Employment prospects (narrative)
  • Prospects depend on national and county demand
  • sector investment
  • policy priorities
  • and supply of trained workers. Job seekers improve prospects by gaining practical experience
  • building a portfolio or track record
  • earning relevant certifications
  • and being flexible on location and sub-sector.
Key tasks (structured)
  • Plan and prioritise daily work activities to meet targets and deadlines
  • Follow workplace procedures, standards, and relevant regulations
  • Carry out core job duties accurately and safely
  • Use job tools/equipment/software correctly and maintain them appropriately
  • Communicate progress, issues, and requirements with supervisors and colleagues
  • Serve clients/customers professionally and resolve routine queries
  • Document work completed, maintain records, and submit routine reports
  • Identify errors, risks, or service gaps and propose improvements
  • Work as part of a team and coordinate tasks across units
  • Maintain confidentiality and ethical conduct where required
  • Comply with occupational safety and health (OSH) guidelines
  • Participate in training, mentoring, or continuous improvement activities
Core skills
  • Communication (verbal and written)
  • Teamwork and collaboration
  • Problem-solving and critical thinking
  • Time management and prioritisation
  • Attention to detail and accuracy
  • Customer service orientation
  • Integrity and ethical conduct
  • Adaptability and continuous learning
  • Decision-making and judgement
  • Documentation and record-keeping
  • Digital literacy (basic)
  • Safety awareness and compliance mindset
Technical / occupational skills
  • Use of hand and power tools safely
  • Installation, maintenance, and repair procedures
  • Reading drawings/specifications and measurements
  • Troubleshooting and fault diagnosis
  • Quality control and workmanship standards
  • Equipment handling and preventive maintenance
  • Workplace safety and PPE usage
  • Basic electrical/mechanical principles (as relevant)
  • Material handling and storage
  • Site readiness and task planning
  • Compliance with standards and inspections
Transferable / soft skills
  • Leadership and supervision (as one progresses)
  • Negotiation and stakeholder management
  • Conflict resolution
  • Presentation and public speaking
  • Creativity and innovation
  • Emotional intelligence
  • Planning and organisation
  • Resilience and stress management
  • Service mindset and empathy
  • Networking and relationship building
  • Analytical thinking
  • Professionalism and work discipline
Skills & competencies (general description)
  • Prospects depend on national and county demand
  • sector investment
  • policy priorities
  • and supply of trained workers. Job seekers improve prospects by gaining practical experience
  • building a portfolio or track record
  • earning relevant certifications
  • and being flexible on location and sub-sector.
Certifications, licenses & registration
  • Trade test / competency certification (where applicable)
  • Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) certification (strongly recommended)
  • Equipment-specific operator certification (where applicable)
  • First Aid certification (recommended in many workplaces)
Education & training pathways (narrative)
  • Secondary education foundation (varies by role)
  • Short courses/certificates in the relevant service/technical area
  • On-the-job training and mentoring
  • Progression supported by additional certificates and demonstrated competence
Education pathways (structured)
  • Secondary education foundation (varies by role)
  • Short courses/certificates in the relevant service/technical area
  • On-the-job training and mentoring
  • Progression supported by additional certificates and demonstrated competence
Minimum entry requirements
  • Minimum education: Basic education (KCPE/KCSE) and physical ability
  • Basic literacy and numeracy (reading, writing, and basic calculations)
  • Good conduct, reliability, and professional behaviour
  • Ability to follow instructions, procedures, and workplace rules
  • Basic digital literacy where the role uses computers/phones
  • Physical/medical fitness where the role is physically demanding or safety-sensitive
  • Regulatory registration/licensing where required (profession-dependent)
  • Background checks/clearance for sensitive roles where applicable
Relevant courses to consider
  • Diploma/Certificate in Electrical/Electronics Engineering
  • Diploma/Certificate in Mechanical Engineering
  • Civil/Construction Technology
  • Welding and Fabrication
  • Plumbing and Pipefitting
  • Refrigeration and Air Conditioning
  • Automotive Mechanics
  • Plant/Machine Operation
  • Occupational Safety and Health (OSH)
  • CAD/Draughting basics
Institutions where to learn
  • Universities (accredited public and private universities offering relevant programmes)
  • National Polytechnics and TVET institutions (diploma, certificate, artisan programmes)
  • Technical Training Institutes and Vocational Centres
  • Professional Colleges and Accredited Training Academies
  • Sector Training Authorities and Recognised Centres of Excellence
  • Employer-based Academies and Apprenticeship Programmes
  • Online Learning Platforms (supplementary; verify recognition for regulated fields)
  • Industry Associations and Professional Bodies (short courses/CPD)
Work environment & conditions (narrative)
  • Workplace policies
  • Team collaboration
  • Quality standards
  • Varied settings
  • Task-based
  • Physical work
  • Informal settings possible
Typical employers / places of work
  • Public sector institutions
  • private companies
  • NGOs and community-based organisations depending on the sector.
Work setting
Not specified.
Work schedule
Full-time commonIrregular hours possibleCasual/daily work possible
Employment type
Formal employment possibleInformal employment possibleSelf-employment common in some contextsContract/casual work possible
Salary ranges
Entry
KES 13,000 – 35,000
Mid
KES 35,000 – 60,000
Senior
KES 60,000+
Earnings, wages & prospects (narrative)
  • Entry-level typical range (illustrative): KES 13,000 – 35,000
  • Mid-level typical range (illustrative): KES 35,000 – 60,000
  • Senior/experienced typical range (illustrative): KES 60,000+
  • Earnings vary by employer (public/private), location, allowances, commissions, overtime, risk factors, and scarcity of skills
How to become one
  • Start in entry-level roles
  • learn on the job
  • and build reliability
  • teamwork and basic technical skills which can open up progression opportunities.
Career progression
  • Trainee/Junior → Skilled worker → Senior skilled worker
  • Senior skilled worker → Foreman/Supervisor → Contractor/Business owner (common in trades)
Related & alternative occupations
  • Other occupations within the same KeSCO major group
  • Support roles in the same sector/industry
  • Supervisory roles related to this occupation’s work area
  • Specialist variants of the same occupation (where they exist)
Occupation titles
9214-11 — Assistant, gardener's
9214-12 — Assistant, greenkeeper's
9214-13 — Assistant, nursery: horticulture
9214-14 — Contractor, lawnmowing
9214-15 — Contractor, mowing
9214-16 — Cutter, lawn
9214-17 — Hand, garden
9214-18 — Hand, nursery: horticulture
9214-21 — Hand, plant nursery
9214-22 — Labourer, cemetery: gardening
9214-23 — Labourer, council: gardening
9214-24 — Labourer, garden
9214-25 — Labourer, horticultural
9214-26 — Labourer, nursery
9214-27 — Lawnmower
9214-28 — Lopper, tree
9214-31 — Potter, nursery
9214-32 — Pruner, shrub: garden maintenance
9214-33 — Pruner, tree: garden maintenance
9214-34 — Trimmer, tree: garden maintenance
9214-35 — Worker, garden
9214-36 — Worker, garden maintenance
9214-37 — Worker, maintenance: gardening
9214-38 — Worker, nursery: horticulture
9214-41 — Worker, plant nursery