Kenyan President Ruto bans 'watchman' label and enforces minimum wage for private security officers

President William Ruto instructed private security firms to comply with Kenya’s 15 percent minimum‑wage increase announced on June 1, warning that some companies were still paying guards as little as Ksh 6,000‑8,000 a month. He ordered firms to submit statutory deductions such as NSSF and SHA for their employees.

Ruto also directed all government agencies, public offices and employers to stop using the colonial‑era terms “watchman” or “guard” and to refer to the workforce as “private security officers.” The president said the change recognises the dignity and professionalism of the sector and signalled forthcoming amendments to relevant legislation. The directive was delivered to more than 27,000 security officers gathered at State House in Nairobi.

The president pledged to meet privately with security firms to address any challenges they face in meeting the legal wage requirements and urged strict enforcement of the law.