Labour Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua has announced that the government will intensify inspections across the country to ensure workers are paid in line with the gazetted minimum wage.
Appearing before the Senate on July 22, Mutua said labour officers will be deployed to monitor employers and verify compliance with the legally prescribed wages.
“I will send my officers across the country to ensure workers are being paid according to the gazetted minimum wage. We will follow up to ensure workers’ rights are being respected,” Labour Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua said.
“Kenya is not a country that practices slavery. Anyone who works deserves to be paid, and paid on time.”
The government revised the minimum wage effective May 1, 2026, requiring employers to adjust workers’ pay in line with the new wage orders and ensure compliance with the revised rates.
CS Mutua on Compensation of Workers With Injury
At the same time, Mutua has assured workers that the government has put in place legal mechanisms to compensate employees who sustain work-related injuries and the dependants of those who die while on duty.
The Labour CS said the Work Injury Benefits Act, 2007 (WIBA) provides for compensation in cases of workplace injuries, occupational diseases and work-related deaths.
He noted that employers are legally required to report all workplace accidents, including fatalities, to the Directorate of Occupational Safety and Health Services (DOSHS).
According to the CS, once a workplace accident is reported, the Directorate investigates the incident and assesses the appropriate compensation payable under the law.
“The Director then issues a compensation award, which is paid to the dependants of the deceased worker in accordance with the law,” Mutua said.
Also Read: Govt Takes Stand on Employers Complying with New Minimum Wage
Construction Workers
Responding to concerns over the welfare of construction workers, the Labour CS said the ministry has strengthened oversight of construction sites through a dedicated safety division and mandatory inspections to ensure compliance with occupational safety and health standards.
Mutua said the Directorate of Occupational Safety and Health Services (DOSHS) has established a dedicated Construction Safety Division tasked with monitoring compliance on construction sites.
Also Read: Watchmen to Be Paid KSh20,000 as Govt Gazettes New Minimum Wages
According to the CS, officers from the division are deployed to major construction projects to conduct continuous inspections and ensure employers adhere to occupational safety and health requirements.
Mutua added that DOSHS has a presence in all 47 counties, enabling regular inspections of workplaces, including large-scale government projects, to identify safety risks, enforce compliance and require corrective action where necessary.
He further noted that all construction sites must be registered before operations begin, a requirement intended to bring contractors and subcontractors under the country’s occupational safety and health regulatory framework.
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