Editor's Review

The Head of State instructed the firms to ensure that they also submit the statutory deductions for their employees.


President William Ruto has instructed private security companies to ensure that they pay their employees the minimum wage.

Speaking on Thursday, August 6, Ruto made it clear that he would not entertain the security firms paying private security officers as low as Ksh6,000.

He directed the companies to effect the 15 percent minimum wage increase he had declared on June 1 during the Labour Day Celebrations.

The President stated that the executive order was the law and that all firms must operate within its confines. He made the sentiments after security guards intimated that they were still being paid substantial salaries.

"You have raised concern about your salaries. On June 1, I announced a 15 percent increase in the minimum wage, but I have been told that there are some companies which have not effected the change. Others are not even paying the minimum wage; instead, they are giving between Ksh6,000 and Ksh8,000.

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A file photo of President William Ruto, Governor Johnson Sakaja and Prime CS Musalia Mudavadi with private security officers at State House.

"Our friends in the private security space, the Ministry of Labour, the Ministry of Interior, and the Private Security Regulatory Authority (PSRA), we must work collaboratively to ensure that every security company operates within the parameters of the law," he reiterated.

He stated that he was willing to have a sit-down with the private security firms to address any challenges that may hinder them from paying the security guards the legal minimum wage.

The Head of State instructed the firms to ensure that they also submit the statutory deductions for their employees.

"As you pay their salaries, ensure that you pay their National Social Security Fund (NSSF) and Social Health Authority (SHA), so that they can have something to rely on once they retire," he stated.

Ruto hosted more than 27,000 security officers at State House, Nairobi.  He also issued a new directive aimed at safeguarding their dignity.

He directed all government institutions, public offices, and employers to stop using the term 'watchmen' when referring to private security guards and instead adopt the official designation 'private security officers.'