This list is not primarily based on compensation benefits but on the pride you'll have working for the companies. It is also taking into account the graduate-friendly environment these companies have. This is basically a highlight on the best companies to grow in.

The list – in no particular ranking of entities  – has been inspired by Jeff Bezos, Amazon CEO's view of what a brand is;

“Your brand is what people say about you when you're not in the room,” he once said. It is based on the public's perception of the companies; the image they hold in the society.

These are the top 20 companies to work for in Kenya.

1. Google

Google is one of the leading innovative companies in the world. Its motto, 'all of the world's information organized' has made our lives easier a great deal. The company is now 16 years old and has its headquarters in Mountain View, California. The company is known for its flashy company offices. It also has a well paying company structure. On July 17th, the company's shares close at $672.93, from 93% the previous day. The co-founders made 4 billion dollars on that day, making the company shares surge 16%. This is amazing news for investors. You can make as little as 2 million shillings per year. Its Kenyan offices are in Westlands and they take in interns from time to time.

2. Microsoft

Microsoft is one of the best PC and software companies in the world. It is the company that has been indirectly responsible for your successful job applications so far. You use the Microsoft Office Suite to do most of your day-to-day work-related tasks. Its Kenyan offices are located in Upperhill. They're highly furnished and super-comfy.

3. Samsung

Samsung Kenya gives you an opportunity to build your CV. The company is one of top Smartphone production companies in the world; a direct rival to Apple. Samsung has been around for over 70 years, with its businesses currently spanning across semiconductors, skyscrapers and plant construction, petrochemicals, fashion, medicine, finance, hotels and other products. This makes it easier for you to transition from a department to another. There is unlimited possibility to grow. Their flagship brand, Samsung Electronics is one of the most revered in the world.

4. Red Cross

The NGO is not only saving lives from day to day emergencies in Kenya but changing the standards of lives of the people working within the organization. The best thing about Red Cross is that it has employee training and development programs. This includes organizational, talent-oriented and executive training. There are also annual awards for employees within the company but they vary from country to country.

5. Coca Cola

The company is ranked amongst the Most Admired Companies in 2015 by Fortune Magazine. The company has ingrained its DNA in our lives such that we cannot live without it. Its brands Minute Maid, Fanta, Sprite and Krest have heavily resonated who we are. Its "A Billion Reasons To Believe In Africa" campaign has for a long time portrayed the continent in a positive way. When photographer Brandon Stanton, popularly known for his page Humans Of New York came to Kenya back in 2014, he captured Coca Cola in one of his images. He was on a tour with the United Nations. The company pays well and having it on your LinkedIn or CV will give you unprecedented career mileage.

6. Safaricom

Safaricom has changed the lives of Kenyans since it's very incorporation as a private limited liability company in April 1997. It has made money transfer in country virtually possible. M Pesa won the Best Operator-Led Mobile Money service award at the Mobile Money Global Awards in Dubai back in 2013. Back in 2009, the company won Best Mobile Money Service at the GSMA Global Mobile Awards in Barcelona. In 2014, Safaricom beat Google and Facebook to be number 9 in the Fast Company list of the top 50 most innovative companies in the world. The company also sponsors various cultural and sports initiatives in the country, such as the Groove Awards. Having Safaricom on your CV is an incredible advantage.

7. Mahali Mzuri

The company, founded in 2012 describes itself as Richard Branson's Kenyan Safari Camp. Working for Richard Branson's company is a dream come true for many Kenyans. Once you get a job here, you'll have the chance to have linear 360 degrees mobility to any of the Virgin Group brands. You'll have access to top notch mentorship and get a taste of the enviable Virgin Group company culture; having fun while at work.

8. Radio Africa Group Limited (RAL)

The media company is one of the most respected worldwide. It has for 15 years built an ever growing business empire across its digital and print properties. It is home to the top Kenyan media personalities on radio and TV. Caroline Mutoko, Maina Kageni, Shaffie Weru, Linda Nyangweso, Chipukeezy, Adelle Onyango, Grace Msalame, K4, Deedee among others are proud Radio Africa staff. The recent brand, is the leading lifestyle website in Kenya as you read this. You'll have unlimited growth and learning experience at RAL – a once-in-a-life-time-experience. The company's leading brands include, , , ,, and other upcoming brands to be newly unveiled.

9. Chandaria Industries

The probability of you having used one of the Chandaria industries products is high. The company is the largest tissue and hygiene products manufacturing company in East and Central Africa. Some of their brands include Velvex, Dawn, Safari, Royale. Darshan Chandaria, the Group CEO is among the Top 40 Under 40 men in Kenya. The company has won various awards and certifications, including the National Cleaner Production award and ISO 9001 – 2000 certification.

10. Ministry of Youth, Gender and Sports

This is an incredible place to work. It let's the employees be creative in their projects and grooms them to be the best they can be in life. One of the In Kenya and the reigning Miss Tourism Mombasa Tima Keilah works there. The ministry is empowering young people around the country achieve their dreams through its various programs.

11. Nation Media Group

The company is one of the oldest media companies in Kenya. It has shaped the news landscape in the country over the years. It has some of the most popular media brands in the country, think of Daily Nation, Taifa Leo, The East African, Business Daily and NTV. It is home to top Kenyan media personalities; the likes of Larry Madowo, Linus Kaikai, Richard Chacha, Smriti Vidyarthi, Victoria Rubadiri among others. It is a great brand to have on your CV.

12. Pwc

Pwc is the second largest professional services company in the world and is part of the of the top 4 biggest professional service providing companies in Kenya. Apart from paying their employees very well, the guys in suits at Pwc are keen on making sure that their employees have an excellent working experience. It also gives employees gifts once they reach their five – year milestone at the company as an incentive to forge further. If you want to adopt a child, you can be given up to $5,000 to take care of them. Their graduate-trainee program is one of the best in the world. You can buy a big house, car, yatch and other prized possessions through a friendly pay-roll reduction program.

13. British Council

The place comes as a nice place to work in since there is stressed employee equality. There is racial diversity at the Upperhill based company, but the environment stimulates mutual growth and understanding to the highest standards possible. They normally have theme days from time to time to allow the employees from different countries and cultures share and learn more about each other. The organization is also known for its ample employee remuneration.

14. Emirates Group

You'll get to meet a wide variety of people from around the world. The company pays you according to your experience and your salary will be constantly reviewed to improve its competence. You'll get a minimum of 30 annual leave days in addition to 10 public holidays. The more senior you are, the more the leave days you'll get. Also 50 percent of your salary is protected against the flactuation of the UAE Dirham.

This is also a good company to have on you CV. It is one of the most esteemed brands on the planet. It has won many awards, for example The Observer UK's Airline Of The Year (1996), Airports Company South Africa Best Airline for Service Excellence (1996), Aviation Company Of The Year by Aviation Industry Awards (2014), Airline of the Year by Air Transport World Awards (2011) among other top awards.

15. Standard Chartered Bank

The branding of the bank is legit. The sponsor of the Standard Chartered Marathon has positioned itself as an admirable company. The Kenyan branch was established in 1911 at Treasury Square in Mombasa. The company is easily comparable to Vogue Magazine, since it is over a hundred years old and has established its roots deeply into the Kenyan ecosystem. The company offers up to 4 weeks vacation, has a great medical Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) and an excellent compensation structure.

16. KPMG

KPMG, alongside Deloitte is among the top 4 global professional service companies. The company offers a childcare program, up to 30 days off per year, a mortgage assistance program among other stuff. The brand is one of the most reputable globally in the auditing and accounts services industry. The company offices are located at ABC place along Waiyaki way.

17. Deloitte

The company is not only keen on serving the best companies in the world through its auditing services, but also big on giving employees in-house training. The company's “Deloitte University” program is a big hub for online research resources striking across all industries; from retail to manufacturing. The graduate trainee pipeline is one of the best globally. Some of Deloitte's global clients include Heineken, Siemens, Kenya Airways, Vodafone among others. The company offices are along Waiyaki Way.

18. Intel

Intel is the company responsible for creating the world's most used computer chips and processors. The Kenyan company has an ambassador program that allows campus students have a working experience prior to joining the main employment stream. Whether you are interested in futurism, programming or chip fabrication, there's a whole universe of opportunities for you at Intel Corporation. This is an area for Kenyan young men who have interest growing in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) field. Its headquarters are in Santa Clara, California. In Kenya, the company's office is along Riverside Drive, Nairobi.

19. Airtel

Airtel has proven to be one of the most creative companies that has managed to survive the highly competitive telecoms space in the country. It has a great social media presence and an attractive non-mainstream company culture. Its headquarters are along Mombasa Road. The best thing about Airtel is that it is an international telecoms company operating in Sri Lanka, India (headquarters), Africa, Bangladesh and the Channel Islands. It was founded in 1995.

20. Cisco

Cisco is a multinational company best known for manufacturing networking technology. In Kenya, it is part of the government of Kenya's digital jobs initiative. This has allowed many young people to get an avenue to launch their career in technology. The Cisco Networking Academy has transformed lives around the world. When working for Cisco, you'll get a stock purchase plan, an attractive paid off-time plan among other perks. Whether you're interested in the Internet of Everything (IoE), a woman interested in technology or you are marketing savvy, you should consider working for Cisco. The Kenyan offices are at Landmark Plaza, Nairobi.