Atwoli Writes to Ruto After Complaints From Thousands of Watchmen

A collage of President William Ruto (left) during a campaign and several security guards (right)
A collage of President William Ruto (left) during a campaign and several security guards (right)
File

The Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General Francis Atwoli sought to end the perennial woes of security guards across the country who are paid less than minimum wage.

In a statement dated Tuesday, January 17, Atwoli called upon President William Ruto to crack the whip on rogue private security firms and ensure they are registered through the Private Security Regulatory Authority (PRSA).

"COTU (K) has received an alarming number of petitions from current and former employees of the many rogue private security firms that have blatantly refused to observe minimum wage guidelines, notwithstanding the gazettement of the minimum wage by the Government of Kenya," read part of the statement.

COTU boss Francis Atwoli (left) and President William Ruto (right) at State House, Nairobi on December 1, 2022.jpg
COTU boss Francis Atwoli (left) and President William Ruto (right) at State House, Nairobi on December 1, 2022
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Francis Atwoli

He added that the move will help the Ruto-led administration collect its fair share of the revenue and the workers are paid a decent salary that is above the minimum wage.

Atwoli, a vocal trade unionist, lamented that there was complacency from the government in cracking down on rogue firms that continue to negatively affect more than 1.2 million Kenyans mostly hustlers who voted in the Ruto administration.

According to Atwoli, a majority of the 183 registered firms are the worst violators of security worker rights and welfare.

"COTU (K) would like to remind PRSA to directly engage the union that represents private security workers to ascertain the respectability of workers' rights and welfare in this sector. Especially on the observance of minimum wage," the statement read on.

He urged the government to intervene and renew the minimum wages before the 2023 Labour Day Celebrations noting, "We would like to invite the government to be magnanimous enough to consider reviewing the minimum wage upwards considering the erosion in purchasing power that has been occasioned by the high cost of living." 

According to the minimum wages published in a special gazette notice on July 4, 2022, watchmen in Nairobi and other cities ought to receive approximately Ksh17,000 per month.

Those working in former municipalities and towns ought to receive approximately Ksh15,000 monthly, while those in other areas get approximately Ksh10,000 per month.

The statement came days after PSRA failed to register at least 1800 security firms leaving the jobs of many in limbo.

PRSA Director General Fazul Mahamed only gazetted 183 firms on Tuesday, January 3.

"It shall be an offense for a person to employ or otherwise engage the services of any unlicensed private security firm or unregistered security guard," read the Gazette notice in parts.

Security guards march during Labour Day celebrations at 64 Stadium in Eldoret town, Uasin Gishu County on May 1, 2016.
Security guards march during Labour Day celebrations at 64 Stadium in Eldoret town, Uasin Gishu County on May 1, 2016.
Daily Nation