Labour Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua/HANDOUT
The family of a worker who died during the construction of the Talanta Stadium will be compensated under the Work Injury Benefits Act (WIBA), 2007, once police investigations into the incident are concluded, Labour Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua has told the Senate.
The body of 35-year-old Sammy Kyengo, who had been reported missing on 6 September 2025, was found a week later in a water sump at the site.
Police said the body had been concealed with pieces of boards behind the terraces under construction.
Casual workers stumbled upon the grim discovery on September 13 while clearing construction materials to prepare for plastering.
Responding to concerns raised by lawmakers, Mutua said the government has established clear legal mechanisms to compensate workers who suffer injuries or lose their lives while on duty, as well as support their dependants.
"The government has established clear mechanisms to provide compensation and support to workers who suffer injuries in the course of their employment and to their dependents, for workers who suffer fatal injuries in the course of employment," Mutua said.
He explained that under the Work Injury Benefits Act, employees or their dependants are entitled to compensation in cases involving work-related injuries, occupational diseases or death.
"Under the Work Injuries Benefit Act 2007, employees or their dependents are entitled to compensation in cases of work-related injuries, occupational diseases, or death," he told senators.
The CS noted that employers are legally required to report all workplace accidents, including fatalities, to the Directorate of Occupational Safety and Health Services (DOSHS), which is mandated to assess the incident and determine the appropriate compensation.
"Employers are required by law to report all workplace accidents, including fatalities, to the Directorate of Occupational Safety and Health Services. Upon this notification, the Directorate undertakes an assessment of the incident and determines the appropriate compensation payable," Mutua said.
He added that after the assessment is completed, the Director of Occupational Safety and Health Services issues a compensation award, which is then paid to the deceased worker's dependants in accordance with the law.
Addressing the specific case at the Talanta Stadium project, Mutua said the employer complied with legal requirements by reporting the fatality to the Directorate on September 13, 2025.
"With respect to the specific case concerning the Talanta Stadium project, the employer duly reported the fatality on September 13 2025, as per the legal requirement, and the compensation process for the dependents of the deceased worker will be processed subject to the conclusion of the police investigations into the cause of death," he said.
Mutua reaffirmed the Ministry's commitment to improving occupational safety standards across the country.
"The Ministry remains committed to strengthening enforcement, enhancing workplace safety, and ensuring that all workers are protected and that affected families receive the support due to them under the law," he said.
