By Brian Kiprono - Reporter
Kenya, august 6 ,2026 - President William Ruto has warned private security companies against underpaying their employees, declaring that no security guard in Kenya should earn below the government-approved minimum wage.
Speaking after hosting more than 5,000 private security officers at State House, Nairobi, on Thursday, the President said the government would crack down on firms that continue to ignore labour laws despite previous directives to improve workers' pay.
Ruto expressed concern that some companies were still paying guards as little as Sh6,000 and Sh7,000 a month, describing the practice as both illegal and inhumane.
"On May 1 this year, I issued a directive on minimum wage to be increased by 15 per cent, but I have been told that many companies have refused to increase the minimum wage. Today I am warning them," Ruto said.
"Others are even paying as little as Sh6,000 and Sh7,000. The law of Kenya says it is inhumane for a person to pay below the minimum wage," he added.
The President directed all private security companies to comply with the government-approved minimum monthly wage of Sh30,000 and ensure that statutory deductions, including contributions to the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) and the Social Health Authority (SHA), are remitted without fail.
He tasked the Ministries of Interior and Labour, working alongside the Private Security Regulatory Authority (PSRA), with enforcing compliance across the industry.
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"Our good friends in the private security space, the regulator is here, the Ministry of Interior and Labour are here. We must work together to ensure all security companies operate within the parameters of the law," he said.
The President's remarks came during a meeting that brought together thousands of private security officers, giving them a rare opportunity to present their concerns directly to the Head of State.
The engagement formed part of a broader government plan to reform Kenya's private security industry, which employs an estimated 1.2 million people. Proposed reforms include improved welfare, harmonised training standards and stricter enforcement of labour laws to professionalise the sector.
Ruto maintained that private security officers play a vital role in safeguarding businesses, institutions and communities and deserve fair pay and decent working conditions in line with the law.