Sakaja pushes for better remuneration of taxi drivers and security guards

**Security guards matching at the Uhuru Gardens, Nairobi during the Labour Day celebrations.** [Picture/State House]

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja is rallying for a raise in payment of taxi drivers who he says are poorly commissioned by taxi hailing companies.

Speaking during this year's Labour Day celebrations at Uhuru Gardens in Nairobi, Sakaja challenged the Competition Authority of Kenya and other stakeholders in the taxi business to come to the rescue of the operators who he says are being paid so little compared to the great service they deliver.

“90 per cent of the accidents we have is because these drivers have to drive for 22 hours a day to make money. The Competition Authority and the Automobile Association of Kenya can come up with a pricing formula for drivers to get something better. It is time we look into this because they contribute to the growth of our economy in general,” Sakaja said.

The Governor also called for improved pay for security guards saying some are earning as little as Sh4,000 despite the government announcing a minimum wage of above Sh13,000.

"This starts with the private security companies that have been mistreating their employers by underpaying them despite the government revising the minimum wages upwards. The guards spend nights in the cold protecting homes and property, but are paid peanuts even when their employers charge clients exorbitantly. It is not fair." Sakaja said.

The celebrations were led by the Central Organization of Trade Unions – Kenya, bringing together allied trade unions representing workers in various sectors.