1. Agree objectives & scope
Decide which HR activities you need now (payroll, recruitment, compliance, training) and which can be outsourced.

2. Define structure & roles
Start small: HR Officer + Payroll/Admin or an HR Lead (part-time) for very small firms. Create clear job descriptions and KPIs.

3. Choose systems
Select a simple HRIS or payroll system that integrates with KRA/NSSF/NHIF requirements. Cloud solutions with local support are often best.

4. Policies & procedures
Develop core policies: employment contracts, leave, disciplinary, performance management. Tailor them to Kenyan law and your culture.

5. Build capability
Hire pragmatic HR staff or appoint an interim HR manager. Pair them with external specialists for niche tasks (payroll or audits) until you scale.

6. Reporting & KPI tracking
Track basic HR metrics: time-to-hire, turnover rate, payroll accuracy, training completion. Use these to show HR’s value.

7. Handover & continuous improvement
Document processes and run a handover. Schedule periodic reviews to update policies and systems.