By Alfred Mataza | July 22, 2026
Labour and Social Protection Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua has warned that the government will shut down construction sites that fail to provide adequate welfare and safety facilities for workers, saying employers must comply with the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA).
Speaking during an impromptu inspection of a major construction site in Nairobi, Mutua said the safety, health and dignity of workers are legal obligations that every contractor must uphold. He stressed that the ministry will not tolerate employers who expose workers to unsafe conditions or deny them basic welfare amenities.
“The lives and well-being of Kenyan workers are not negotiable. Any construction site that fails to meet the required occupational safety standards will be closed immediately, and those responsible will face the full force of the law,” Mutua said.
The Cabinet Secretary directed all contractors and developers to ensure their construction sites have clean, functional and adequate sanitation facilities, including separate toilets for male and female workers. He said access to proper sanitation is a basic right that should be guaranteed at every workplace.
Mutua also emphasized the importance of emergency medical preparedness, instructing employers to establish well-equipped first-aid stations or medical clinics capable of responding promptly to workplace accidents and injuries.
In addition, he said construction sites must provide designated shaded rest areas where employees can safely take breaks and eat their meals away from hazardous working zones.
The Labour CS further warned that workers found operating without the required personal protective equipment (PPE), including helmets, reflective jackets and safety boots, would be sufficient grounds for the immediate suspension of operations at the affected site.
He noted that the ministry has deployed a special team of occupational safety and health inspectors to conduct continuous and unannounced inspections across the country to ensure full compliance with workplace safety regulations.
According to Mutua, contractors who fail to comply with the law will not only have their projects suspended but will also face prosecution, hefty financial penalties and possible blacklisting by the National Construction Authority (NCA), preventing them from undertaking future construction projects.
He urged employers to prioritize the welfare of their workers, saying safe working environments improve productivity, reduce workplace accidents and contribute to the successful completion of projects.
The Cabinet Secretary also encouraged workers to report unsafe working conditions to the Ministry of Labour, assuring them that the government will take swift action against employers who violate occupational safety laws.
Mutua reaffirmed the government’s commitment to enforcing labour laws and protecting workers’ rights, stating that no contractor, regardless of the size or value of a project, will be exempt from complying with the country’s occupational health and safety standards.
The renewed crackdown forms part of the ministry’s broader efforts to strengthen workplace safety, reduce occupational accidents and ensure that all construction sites across Kenya operate in accordance with the law.
