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.
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.
“Once ratified, we will be able to fully apply provisions within the conventions that allow for inspection services in support of domestic work,” Ms Apiyo asserted.
Speaking during a public consultation forum in Nakuru on 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.
“This framework promises fair wages, regulated hours, social security and protection from abuse, recognising domestic work as legitimate employment, a significant step from its current informal, vulnerable state,” noted Ms Apiyo.
If ratified, the ILO Conventions 189 and 190 will bring domestic work under formal labour protections and redefine the employer-domestic worker relationship in Kenyan households.
Ms Apiyo pointed out that the move aims to formalise protections for approximately two million domestic workers, addressing issues like exploitation, long working hours and lack of social security, adding that following pledges by President William Ruto, the Ministry of Labour is conducting national public forums with stakeholders, including unions and employers, to facilitate the ratification of ILO Conventions 189 and 190.
“Once ratified, the conventions will compel the government to recognise domestic work as legitimate employment, offering rights to minimum wage, written contracts and safe working conditions,” she elaborated.
She said ratifying the conventions on decent work for domestic workers and on violence and harassment would represent a major shift in Kenya’s labour governance framework, particularly for workers in the informal sector.
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 said 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.
“Though underpaid, this labour fills the gap left by inadequate public services and should be recognised as Kenya’s broader care economy,” she added.
The Executive Director stated that ratifying the two conventions would give Kenya a strong moral and legal basis to negotiate fair bilateral agreements, regulate recruitment agencies and advocate for the rights of its citizens abroad.
“Doing so would reinforce our national commitments to the Sustainable Development Goals, the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the East African Community’s principles of decent work and gender equity. It would also catalyse greater inclusion of care work in national planning – such as by integrating unpaid care in labour statistics, budget allocations and social protection systems,” observed Ms Murogo.
Purity Chebor from Oxfam Kenya backed the move, noting that many domestic workers lack formal contracts clearly outlining their working hours and responsibilities.
“They suffer long working hours without clear agreements. As such, we are advocating for the ratification of ILO’s Convention 189 to protect workers in the domestic sector,” emphasised Ms Chebor.
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.
“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,” she said, adding that the forums are meant to reflect sector-specific realities and operational challenges faced by both workers and employers.
She highlighted that domestic workers remain among the most vulnerable groups globally and locally, despite providing essential services that sustain households and the economy.
“Domestic work in Kenya is largely informal, characterised by low wages, absence of written contracts, limited access to social security and weak labour inspection, leaving many workers exposed to exploitation,” she said.
Reverend Muhia Mwangi argued that wages remain extremely low, despite some households being large and demanding significantly more labour.
He noted that ratifying the convention would require Kenya to recognise domestic work as formal employment, extend fundamental labour rights to domestic workers and ensure equal treatment with other workers.
These rights include freedom of association, the right to collective bargaining, minimum wage protection, regulated working hours, rest periods, occupational safety and health protections and access to social security, whether workers are live-in, live-out, full-time or part-time.
Reverend Mwangi also addressed the issue of workplace violence and harassment, which he said remains pervasive across sectors and employment arrangements.
“Studies show that more than half of women and about 30 per cent of men have experienced some form of workplace harassment, with informal workers, women and migrant workers facing higher risks,” he said.
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.
“Public participation is not only a constitutional requirement but also a cornerstone of sustainable labour reforms,” she said.
She noted that feedback from the consultations will guide legislative reviews, policy reforms and institutional strengthening needed to align national laws with international labour standards.
“They suffer long working hours without clear agreements. As such, we are advocating for the ratification of ILO’s Convention 189 to protect workers in the domestic sector.”
Ms Kadima added that domestic workers’ voices are rarely heard but said the consultation would raise awareness of their rights across the county’s 11 sub-counties.
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.
By Jane Ngugi and Dennis Rasto
