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Steam distilled volatile oils from the leaves of <i>Ocimum americanum</i> L. growing in Western Kenya were analysed by GC and GC-MS. A total of 36 compounds, representing a total of 88.51% of the total oil, were identified. The oil was classified as terpinen-4-ol-type according to the terpinen-4-ol content (43.21%). To the best of our knowledge this chemotype of <i>O. americanum</i> has not yet been reported from the East African region. This chemotype of <i>O. americanum</i> has only been reported from Togo. Other notable components include 1,8-cineole (16.13%), α-terpineol (4.01%), <i>trans</i>-caryophyllene (3.06%), α-bergamotene (2.68%) and <i>cis</i>-sabinene hydrate (2.59%). The oil contains mainly oxygenated monoterpenes which accounted for 71.24% of the total oil. The yield obtained was 4% w/w on a dry weight basis.