Labour Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua has announced that the government will step up inspections across the country to ensure employers pay workers according to the gazetted minimum wage.
Speaking in the Senate on July 22, Mutua said labor officers will be deployed to monitor workplaces and verify compliance with the legally prescribed wages.
“I will send my officers across the country to ensure workers are being paid according to the gazetted minimum wage. We will follow up to ensure workers’ rights are being respected,” he said.
Mutua added that Kenya does not tolerate exploitation. “Kenya is not a country that practices slavery. Anyone who works deserves to be paid and paid on time,” he said.
He noted that the minimum wage was revised effective May 1, 2026. Employers are required to adjust pay to match the new wage orders and comply with the updated rates.
At the same time, CS Mutua has reassured workers that the government has legal mechanisms to compensate employees who suffer work-related injuries and the families of those who die while on duty.
Mutua said the Work Injury Benefits Act, 2007 (WIBA), provides compensation for workplace injuries, occupational diseases, and work-related deaths. He added that employers must report all workplace accidents, including fatalities, to the Directorate of Occupational Safety and Health Services (DOSHS).
He explained that once an accident is reported, the Directorate investigates the incident and determines the appropriate compensation under the law.
“The Director then issues a compensation award, which is paid to the dependants of the deceased worker in accordance with the law,” Mutua said.
Responding to concerns about the welfare of construction workers, CS Mutua said the ministry has strengthened oversight of construction sites through a dedicated safety division and mandatory inspections to ensure compliance with occupational safety and health standards.
Mutua said the Directorate of Occupational Safety and Health Services (DOSHS) has set up a Construction Safety Division that monitors compliance at worksites. He added that officers from the unit deploy to major projects to carry out continuous inspections and verify that employers follow occupational safety and health requirements.
He further stated that DOSHS operates in all 47 counties, enabling regular inspections of workplaces, including large government projects, to identify safety risks, enforce compliance, and order corrective action where necessary.
Mutua also noted that all construction sites must register before operations begin. He said the registration requirement brings contractors and subcontractors under the country’s occupational safety and health regulatory framework.
