Crooked employers who underpay their workers have been cautioned to brace for aggressive legal consequences, with the government vowing to crack down on labour exploitation.

Labour and Skills Development Principal Secretary Shadrack Mwadime has warned that legal action will be intensified against businesses flouting minimum wage laws, particularly those in the security and supermarket sectors.

The PS announced that the government is in possession of reliable intelligence that a good number of Kenyans, predominantly those working in security firms and supermarkets, suffer dehumanising experiences in the hands of their employers.

Full compliance

Mwadime revealed that the government has strengthened its labour inspection mechanisms, ensuring that enforcement officers can now access company premises and scrutinise financial records.

“Unlike before, when some businesses locked out labour inspectors, we have put in place new strategies in collaboration with the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and security agencies. This will allow us to ensure full compliance with wage laws,” he explained.

Mwadime insisted that the government is determined to dismantle exploitative labour practices that prioritise profit over workers’ dignity.

“It is unacceptable for Kenyans to invest in their education, secure employment, and then be subjected to disgracefully low wages. The minimum wage is set based on economic indicators proving its viability, and we will ensure that it is honoured,” he said.

The PS was speaking at a hotel in Mombasa where he briefed the National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Labour about the progress of the World Bank-funded National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) project. The five-year initiative aims to tackle youth unemployment, income insecurity, and limited savings.

Overseas concerns

Committee Chairperson and Runyenjes MP Karemba Muchangi said there is need for close monitoring of Kenyan workers seeking employment abroad.

“In recent years, many Kenyans have taken up jobs overseas, but concerns persist about their safety and working conditions. We need the Ministry to assure us that those going abroad are protected and placed in decent workplaces,” Muchangi said.

According to the Labour PS, the government’s strategy to combat unemployment is anchored in equipping young people with marketable skills.

Mwadime announced that the NYOTA programme, backed by Shh29.5 billion (US$229 million) World Bank investment, will target vulnerable youth aged 18-29 (or up to 35 for persons with disabilities) across all 47 counties.

“NYOTA aims to establish systems that create long-term opportunities for employment, earnings, and financial inclusion,” he said, adding that its core objective is to increase employment and savings among Kenyan youth.

Building upon the recently-concluded Sh19.3 billion Kenya Youth Employment and Opportunities Project (KYEOP), NYOTA will follow a dual approach. One group of beneficiaries will receive support to establish enterprises and generate employment, while the other will gain skills that enhance their employability.

“The Ministry of Youth has been tasked with this role, while the Ministry of Labour will focus on capacity-building. The National Industrial Training Authority (NITA) will provide the necessary skill sets, and a savings component will be managed through the National Social Security Fund (NSSF),” Mwadime explained.