President William Ruto has directed all security firms to comply with Kenya’s minimum wage regulations, warning that paying employees below the legally prescribed rates is against the law.
Speaking during a meeting with security guards at State House, Nairobi, on August 8, Ruto said some companies had failed to implement the 12 and 15 percent minimum wage increase that was announced in June.
“You have asked about the salary. In June, I said 12% and 15% to be added to your minimum wage, but I have heard that there are companies that have not increased the minimum wage; some of them are paying less. Today I want to tell them the law says that it is wrong for a person to be paid below the minimum wage,” Ruto said.
Ruto said compliance with the minimum wage is non-negotiable for all security companies and pledged to engage stakeholders in the sector to address any implementation challenges.
“Every security company must operate within the parameters of the minimum wage. That is non-negotiable. I am ready to sit with the sector in order to solve the issue,” he said.
Ruto Tells Security Companies to Comply With Minimum Wage Rules
Ruto also directed the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) not to award government tenders to private security firms that fail to pay guards the statutory minimum wage.
“You cannot award a tender to a security firm that does not pay security guards the required minimum wage,” he said.
The President further directed the Ministries of Interior, Labour and Public Service, together with the National Police Service, to develop and implement the proposed reforms within 60 days.
Also Read: Govt Takes Stand on Employers Complying with New Minimum Wage
He said the agencies should submit a progress report within the period, detailing the implementation of the directives he had issued.
Ruto said the government would work with Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja to develop a framework for career progression for private security guards.
He also announced plans to establish a framework that would strengthen collaboration between the National Police Service and private security firms to enhance security and ensure the entire country is adequately protected.
Also Read: Watchmen to Be Paid KSh20,000 as Govt Gazettes New Minimum Wages
COTU Faulted Government Over Delay in Implementing Ruto’s 12% Wage Increase
On July 10, the Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU-K) called for the immediate gazettement and implementation of President William Ruto’s directive on a 12 per cent general wage increase.
In a statement, COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli said the gazette notice published by the government had only revised the statutory minimum wage instead of giving legal effect to the President’s directive for a general wage increase across the workforce.
Atwoli argued that the revised wage order did not fully implement the directive Ruto had issued during the 2026 Labour Day celebrations, saying workers were still awaiting the promised 12 per cent general wage increase.
Under the minimum wage, Private security guards across Kenya became entitled to higher minimum wages.
The highest minimum pay applied to night watchmen working in Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru and Eldoret, where the minimum monthly wage was set at KSh20,133.72, excluding housing allowance.
Security guards employed in the former municipalities and town councils of Mavoko, Ruiru and Limuru, as well as areas classified under the same category, became entitled to a minimum monthly salary of KSh18,665.88.
Meanwhile, night watchmen working in all other parts of the country became entitled to a minimum monthly wage of KSh11,483.43.
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