This archive report was first published on 29 December 2019.
On December 29, 2019, the government proposed reforms to the private security industry, including the retraining of security guards. However, private security companies are now raising concerns about the cost of implementing these reforms.
The Protective Security Industry Association (PSIA) has argued that while the reforms are welcome, it may take longer to realise some of them as some sticky issues still remain unresolved. PSIA chairman Cosmas Mutava stated, “We request the government to come out clear on who will bear the cost of retraining all the guards because that will be untenable with the current arrangement and what clients pay to security companies.”
PSIA is also concerned about the proposed increase in the minimum wage paid to guards. The association argues that it cannot be realised because of the amount paid per guard by clients, including government and its agencies. Mutava posed, “Who is paying any security company Sh50,000 to assure that if we raise the minimum pay then we shall have any money remaining?”
PSIA further argues that most Kenyans earn less than Sh100,000, which means they will be forced to give more than half of their salaries to security companies to pay guards if the regulations are passed. The association also raised concern over the composition of the Private Security Regulatory Authority Board, stating that four out of the six members nominated from the security companies are from foreign companies, which local security agencies term as unfair and discriminatory.
