Mutua Issues Tough Warning on Office Dating and Sexual Harassment at Work
Labour and Social Protection Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua has issued a firm warning about dating within workplaces and condemned rising cases of sexual harassment, which he described as one of the most serious problems Kenyan workers are currently facing.
Speaking during Labour Day celebrations held at Uhuru Gardens in Nairobi, CS Mutua said that the government is ready to take firm action to deal with this growing issue and ensure safer working environments for all employees.
“I receive many complaints in my office about sexual harassment happening in different workplaces. I want to make it clear to all Kenyans—when a woman gets employed, leave her alone. Do not harass her,” said Mutua.
He strongly criticised male bosses who take advantage of their positions to prey on female employees, only to fire them when they resist such advances.
According to Mutua, such behaviour is not only wrong but also illegal, and it must be stopped. He emphasized that his office is handling many such reports and that both female and male workers deserve protection.
“We must create safe and respectful workplaces, not just for women, but also for men. This issue is all about the misuse of power in the workplace. It’s time we addressed it seriously,” Mutua added.
He also gave a clear warning to managers and supervisors, telling them not to get romantically involved with junior staff within the same office. He said such relationships create an unfair and uncomfortable working environment due to the power difference between the two parties.
“It is not acceptable for a manager to date someone who reports directly to them. These kinds of relationships create power imbalance, and we must stop this trend. The government will put in place strong measures to deal with workplace sexual harassment,” he said.
Sexual harassment in Kenya is a serious violation of employees’ rights to dignity, security, and fair treatment at work. It goes against the principles outlined in the country’s laws.
According to Article 41 of the Constitution of Kenya, every worker has the right to fair labour practices and decent working conditions. This includes freedom from exploitation, harassment, and discrimination at work.
Additionally, the Employment Act of 2007, under Section 6, clearly defines sexual harassment and strictly prohibits it in the workplace. The law provides guidelines on how employers should deal with such cases and enforce policies to prevent them.
Employers are also given the power to dismiss workers found guilty of misconduct, including acts of sexual harassment. The law encourages all organisations to adopt clear internal policies and take swift action whenever such complaints are made.
CS Mutua’s firm message serves as a strong reminder that all workers, regardless of their gender or position, must be treated with respect and fairness at their places of work.
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