President William Ruto when he hosted Nairobi Security Guards at State House on August 6/ PCSPresident William Ruto has directed government agencies to ensure private security companies comply with the law by paying security guards at least the minimum wage.
Speaking during a meeting with thousands of private security officers at State House on Thursday, the President said some firms had failed to implement the 15 per cent minimum wage increase announced on Labour Day, while others were paying employees less than Sh10,000 a month.
He termed the practice inhumane and warned that employers must comply with Kenya's labour laws.
"On May 1, I directed that the minimum wage should be raised by 15 per cent. But I have been told that there are many companies that have not implemented the directive. Others are not paying the minimum wage; they are paying below Sh10,000," Ruto said.
"The law of the country says that it is inhumane for anyone to be paid below the minimum wage.”
Ruto called on the Private Security Regulatory Authority, the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Labour to work together to ensure all private security companies operate within the law.
"We must work collaboratively to ensure that every security company operates within the parameters of the law. The law of Kenya states that there is a minimum wage that an employee should be paid. That is not negotiable," he said.
The President also urged employers to remit employees' statutory deductions, including contributions to the Social Health Authority (SHA) and the National Social Security Fund (NSSF), to enable security officers to access healthcare and retire with dignity.
"You should pay for them the Social Health Authority and NSSF so they get their benefits to retire with dignity," he said.
The President directed all relevant government agencies to enforce compliance.
"I direct all the government agencies to ensure private security officers are paid nothing less than the minimum wage," Ruto said.
He spoke during an engagement with private security officers at State House, part of his ongoing consultations with various groups and stakeholders.
In May, Ruto announced a 12 per cent increase in minimum wages for Kenyan workers and a 15 per cent pay rise for agricultural workers.
The announcement was made during Labour Day celebrations in Vihiga county.
The President announced that his administration has raised workers' salaries following a request by workers through the Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU).
"Finally, in recognition of the sacrifice, resilience, and immense contribution of our workers to the growth and stability of our economy, I am pleased to announce a 12 per cent increase in general wages and a 15 per cent increase in agricultural wages," Ruto said.
The President said following his directive to ratify the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Convention No. 189 on Decent Work for Domestic Workers and ILO Convention No. 190 on the Elimination of Violence and Harassment in the World of Work, the National Labour Board has completed the ratification process.
He said the Ministry of Labour is now in the final stages of preparing the necessary instruments for submission to Cabinet in accordance with the Treaty Making and Ratification Act and other applicable legal frameworks.
The minimum wage increase means, in cities including Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru and Eldoret, general labourers, cleaners, sweepers, gardeners, children’s ayahs, house servants, day watchmen, and messengers will see their monthly minimum wage rise by 12pc from the current set rate of Sh 16,113.75 to Sh 18,047.40.
However, Ruto’s announced 12 per cent wage increase has faced delays and disputes regarding its implementation.
