Security guards have urged President William Ruto to increase the minimum wage during today's Mashujaa Day celebrations.
The guards, under the Kenya National Private Security Workers Union said the move will help them adjust to the rising cost of living.
The union's Secretary General Isaac Andabwa said private security guards are among the lowest paid Kenyans.
He said some private security guards are not able to afford basic goods and services due to their meagre earnings.
"The 2018 minimum wage has never been implemented five years down the line. What we are asking is what was awarded to the workers," Andabwa said.
"This will be beneficial to workers who are currently just surviving because they cannot afford the current cost of living."
Prices of basic commodities have skyrocketed in recent months following rising cost of fuel products.
This has been made worse by the increased taxes and introduction of the housing levy.
Andabwa urged the government to conduct a research-based minimum living wage to make it easier to match the cost of living.
He faulted the government for playing politics and failing to follow up the implementation of the minimum wage by employers.
"We are requesting the President to order employers to pay the arrears incurred on the minimum wage because many private security guards are suffering," Andabwa said.
The unionist said the low pay has highly contributed to cases of mental health among workers.
"How can a private security officer survive on Sh10,000 in Nairobi? It is impossible because you have to pay rent, transport and buy food. Let the minimum wage be increased for people to live decent lives," he said.
Andabwa urge the government to release the billions of resources it has been holding that belong to the workers since 2018.
He said hustlers in the private security sector were still hopeful that Ruto will save them from hardship.
"Some of the challenges in the private security sector include, difficult clientele, long working hours, limited social life and low wages," he said.
