Private Security Guards Hit Out at Their Employers Over Minimum Wage

The Kenya National Private Security Workers Union (KNPSWU) has urged the government to intervene and close down security firms that have failed to comply with the minimum wage requirement.

Speaking during a meeting with shop stewards across the country in Nairobi, the union leaders stated that firms that do not comply with this regulation needed to have their licences revoked.

The union’s Secretary General Isaac Andabwa noted that such companies had failed to implement the six per cent increment in their wage bill and this blatantly underpaying the workers thus the union had taken it upon themselves to spread awareness to all security officers on how much they should be paid.

“We are going to collaborate with other government sectors to make sure we have a sector Sacco, sector union, and a sector academy meant to empower our leadership and even the workers,” Andabwa opined.

“Why should the government license people who don’t generate income, who don’t pay minimum wage to support the government of the day?”

Andabwa’s sentiments were backed by other members of the union who emphasised that spreading awareness of the increased pay to private security workers across the country was instrumental in ensuring that firms adhered to the government directives.

“There are companies that break the law and fail to pay the minimum wage as directed in the gazette notice. They pay low salaries and do not pay overtime to the security officers,” one member added.

All this is clear theft to the officers. We have come together to ensure that all officers, even those in rural areas are educated on their rights so that we can ensure all employers adhere to the rules.”

In October 2024, President William Ruto announced a 6 per cent rise in minimum wages across various sectors.

The announcement was made in a gazette notice issued on Friday, October 11, signed by then Labour Cabinet Secretary Dr Alfred Mutua. 

Mutua argued that the wage increase is a critical step in improving the living standards of employees and will take effect on November 1, 2024.

Outlined in the Labour Institutions Act Cap 234, the wage bill set the minimum wage for unskilled employees at Ksh7,997 per month, translating to Ksh335 per day. 

Night watchmen working in the cities should receive a daily rate of Ksh813 translating to Ksh16,959 per month while those in all former municipalities and town councils of Mavoko, Ruiru and Limuru, the monthly salary should be Ksh15,722 with the rest of the night watchmen being paid Ksh9,672.