President William Ruto met with over 20,000 private security guards on Thursday, August 6, 2026, and ordered the enforcement of a 15% minimum wage increase for them.
The security guards were the latest group to be hosted by the president at State House in a series of events that have happened at State House over the past few days.
Pay increase
On workers’ pay, Ruto directed employers to implement the 15 per cent minimum wage increase announced by the government.
“Mshahara ile inaitwa minimum wage iongezwe kwa asilimia 15. Nimeambiwa kuna kampuni nyingi ambazo zimekwama na hawajapandisha mishahara yao kwa hiyo asilimia 15 tuliyopendekeza kama serikali. Pia kuna wengine hata hawalipi hiyo minimum wage, wanalipa watu shilingi elfu sita, saba na nane,” Ruto said.
“Leo tunawaambia mambo ni matatu. Sheria ya taifa letu la Kenya inasema ni kinyume na ni unyama kwa mtu kulipwa chini ya minimum wage. Our good friends from the private sector, the Ministry of Interior, are here; the regulator is here, and the Ministry of Labour is represented. We must work collaboratively, working together to ensure that every security company operates within the parameters of the law,” he said.
Change of name
The Head of State also said there is a need for a change in culture where security guards are known as ‘watchmen’ or ‘guards’ and should now be referred to as ‘private security officers’.
“Every private security officer deserves lawful remuneration, fair treatment, decent working conditions, social protection, quality training, and opportunities for career progression. We will continue supporting the provision of standardised training, accreditation of institutions, and enforcement of labour standards,” he said.
“Kazi ni kazi na hii yenu ni kazi. Kwa sababu hiyo, yale maneno ya ‘watchman’ ilikuwa ni madharau ya mkoloni,” he said.
“Mumesema kama private security officers mnataka muhesimiwe na mheshimike, majina kama watchman, guard nimekubali haya majina yanwakosea heshima na sababu hiyo vile mumependekeza najua teminologies hizi bado ziko katika sheria na regulations ya serikali,” Ruto said.
The meeting brought together guards drawn from various security firms, associations, and unions from across the country.
