Kenya National Private Security Workers urge President Ruto to develop a well-researched based minimum living wage

Kenya National Private Security Workers Union (KNSWU) General  Secretary  (OGW) Isaac Andabwa has urged President William Ruto to develop a well-researched based minimum living wage and implement it instead of the minimum wage.

Andabwa said it is unfortunate that  most of the lowly paid workers cannot afford goods and services   because what they get is what they term as ‘mockery.’

Addressing the media on Friday, Andabwa said the government has a culture of politicising minimum wages that are not implemented or do not reach the pockets of the workers.

"The 2018 minimum wage has never been implemented five years down the line. What we are asking is what was awarded to the workers who will be beneficial to workers who are currently surviving since they cannot afford the current cost of living," Andabwa said.

He said most workers feel neglected by the government which is not interested in helping them anymore.

"We are requesting His Excellency the President to order for the arrears since the workers have now lost a sense of belonging in this country and cannot afford two meals a day," Andabwa said.

He said this is part of the causes of mental health cases according to his research among other factors with poverty listed as major.

"How can a private security officer survive on a Ksh.1,000 in Nairobi?" Andabwa posed.

He called on the government to release the billions of resources it has been holding belonging to the workers since 2018.

Andabwa said the Private Security Industry who are hustlers still have hope the President will come in and save the situation of the suffering workers who supported the hustler movement wholeheartedly.

Andabwa said this will assist Kenyans who are straining and stressed.

Andabwa said many people are killing each other at home or workplaces as a result of mental illness majorly caused by the high cost of living.

"Some of the causes in the private security sector and industry are difficult clientele, long working hours, limited social life and low wages," Andabwa said.