Nakuru: The government is committed to introducing laws and policies that guarantee fair pay and enforce better working conditions for domestic workers and caregivers. In this regard, the State is considering a major shift in labour laws that could extend workplace protections into private homes to ensure alignment with international conventions that safeguard the rights of domestic workers.
According to Kenya News Agency, Commissioner for Labour Ms Hellen Apiyo indicated that domestic workers are often excluded from labour inspection services because of the private nature of the homes in which they work. Ms Apiyo stated that Kenya has initiated the process of ratifying two international labour standards that will protect vulnerable domestic workers and curb workplace harassment. The two frameworks, International Labour Organization (ILO) Conventions 189 and 190, seek to guarantee fundamental labour rights for domestic workers while requiring employers to implement preventive measures, reporting channels and remedies against workplace violence and harassment.
Ms Apiyo further elaborated that once ratified, the conventions will enable full application of provisions that allow for inspection services in support of domestic work. Speaking during a public consultation forum in Nakuru on the ratification of the two international labour standards, the Commissioner conceded that labour laws currently in effect across the country leave domestic workers exposed to long working hours, exploitation, poor pay, and limited access to justice services. ILO’s Convention 189 aims to recognise domestic workers as formal employees, while Convention 190 protects these employees from exploitation.
Executive Director for Domestic Training and Development Ms Edith Murogo noted that domestic care and work in Kenya remain widely undervalued, underregulated, and excluded from many legal, economic, and social protections. She emphasized that in Kenya, as in many parts of the world, domestic work is predominantly done by women from low-income and marginalized backgrounds, including internal migrants from rural to urban areas. Ms Murogo expressed concern that many of these workers are poorly paid, lack contracts, face harsh working conditions, and are frequently excluded from social protection schemes.
Purity Chebor from Oxfam Kenya supported the move, noting that many domestic workers lack formal contracts clearly outlining their working hours and responsibilities. She argued that the voices of domestic workers are rarely heard but noted that the public consultation forum would increase awareness regarding the labour rights of house helps in Nakuru’s 11 sub-counties. Chebor pointed out that public participation is enabling the government to identify policy, legal and institutional gaps that must be addressed to ensure effective domestication and enforcement of these conventions once ratified.
Reverend Muhia Mwangi addressed the issue of workplace violence and harassment, which he said remains pervasive across sectors and employment arrangements. He explained that the convention requires a comprehensive approach beyond criminalisation, including prevention, protection, and remedies. Employers would be required to implement preventive measures, establish accessible reporting mechanisms, protect victims and witnesses from retaliation, and ensure effective investigations, sanctions, and remedies.
Brenda Kadima from the Nakuru-East Domestic Care Work Unit noted that by ratifying the convention, the government will strengthen labour inspection and enforcement systems to meet the convention’s requirements and urged stakeholders to provide practical feedback to ensure reforms are implementable. Ms Kadima described the ILO instruments as among the most progressive global labour standards and highlighted that public participation is not only a constitutional requirement but also a cornerstone of sustainable labour reforms.
If ratified, ILO Conventions 189 and 190 would formalise protections for domestic workers and redefine the employer-domestic worker relationship in Kenyan households, representing a historic step in extending fundamental labour rights to one of the country’s most vulnerable groups.
