This archive report was first published on 3 November 2019.
On November 3, 2019, the Private Security Association (PSA) expressed its concerns over the government's proposed Private Security Regulations, which aim to cap the minimum wage for private guards at Sh27,000.
The association argues that this remuneration is unrealistic and could lead to private security firms going out of business. According to Enock Makanga, an official of PSA, it is ironic that the government wants private firms to pay more money to their employees while government agencies pay less than what they propose as the minimum wage.
A list seen by Weekend Business shows that government ministries and agencies pay between Sh13,000 and Sh27,000 per guard for each month. Cosmas Mutava, an official from the association, stated that unless the government and its agencies are willing to increase the amount paid, private securities risk running at a loss in effecting the regulations.
The association refuted claims that its members collect as high as Sh50,000 but pay as little as Sh8,000. The Kenya National Private Security Workers' Union also appeared before the National Assembly Committee on Delegated Legislation and decried the poor pay and working conditions that some members have been subjected to.
Interior Principal Secretary Karanja Kibicho also appeared before the committee and said private security firms should start treating their employees better, pointing out that some of the firms were exploiting their workers.
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