From Peanuts to Fair Pay: Kenya Unveils Radical Rules to Protect AI Workers from Trauma and Poverty Wages
Some Kenyan workers are reportedly taking home as little as Sh195 per hour, barely above the statutory minimum wage, despite reviewing highly distressing content for hours on end.
Photo: Courtesy.
By Yvone Jeptarus
The Kenyan government is moving to regulate the fast-growing Artificial Intelligence (AI) labour sector with new minimum pay and mental healthcare guidelines for local AI data workers, in a bid to close a glaring wage gap between Kenyan and foreign workers doing similar jobs.
For years, Kenya has become a global hub for AI data annotation, content moderation and labelling, with major international tech companies outsourcing work to Nairobi due to lower labour costs and a skilled English-speaking workforce. However, that growth has come at a steep cost for workers.
According to data cited in the new draft policy from the ICT Ministry, content moderators in Kenya are currently earning between Sh189 and Sh484 per hour, while their counterparts in the United States are earning between Sh2,719 and Sh3,496 per hour for equivalent roles. Some Kenyan workers are reportedly taking home as little as Sh195 per hour, barely above the statutory minimum wage, despite reviewing highly distressing content for hours on end.
The draft policy introduces a fair-pay-reference framework that will set transparent benchmarks linked to international rates. Under the proposal, companies employing Kenyan AI workers will be compelled to disclose their pay structures through a mandatory compliance reporting mechanism, allowing regulators to monitor whether firms are paying fairly and equitably.
Beyond wages, the policy is also establishing duty-of-care standards that require AI firms to provide comprehensive mental health support, safeguards against prolonged exposure to harmful content, and transparent employment contracts. The move comes after years of complaints from workers who say they have suffered psychological trauma, anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder from reviewing graphic violence, child sexual abuse, hate speech and other disturbing material without adequate counselling or protection.
“The government is finally recognising our contribution to the global AI industry,” said David Ochieng, a content moderator based in Nairobi. “We are reviewing horrific content every day, yet we are earning peanuts while foreign workers are getting ten times more.”
Workers have previously sued major outsourcing firms operating in Kenya, accusing them of poor working conditions and neglecting mental health support. The new guidelines are expected to force companies to provide regular psychological support, limit exposure hours, offer paid wellness leave and ensure access to professional counsellors.
ICT Principal Secretary John Tanui defended the proposal, saying it is long overdue.
“We are ensuring that AI companies operating here are treating Kenyan workers fairly and protecting their mental wellbeing,” Tanui said.
The draft policy forms part of Kenya’s National Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2025-2030, which seeks to position Kenya as a leader in responsible AI development in Africa while protecting workers from exploitation. The framework will apply to both local and international firms operating in the country, including Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) companies contracted by global tech giants.
The Ministry has opened the draft for public participation, with Kenyans invited to submit feedback and comments until August 4, before the policy is finalized and adopted.
If implemented, the policy could set a precedent for other African countries grappling with similar exploitation concerns in the digital labour economy and mark a turning point for thousands of young Kenyans who power the global AI industry from behind the screens.
About Author
