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Private security firms face deregistration for not paying Sh30,000 minimum wage

Private security personnel from various firms are pictured during their mass registration at Uhuru Park in Nairobi on March 30, 2024. (Photo: PSRA)

By Vincent Ombati | Wednesday, June 12, 2024

The PSRA warned that tough measures would be taken against all firms that would not have complied with the regulations by June 17 and that the PSRA would not send any more reminders.

All private security firms that do not comply with the government-set minimum wage of Sh30,000 for their guards will be deregistered.

This is according to Fazul Mahamed, director-general of the Private Security Regulatory Authority (PSRA), who issued a final notice to security firms via the authority's page on X, the social media platform, on Tuesday.

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"As of June 10, 2024, many companies have complied and submitted their legal commitment to pay a minimum wage of Sh30,000," Fazul noted in the notice, adding, however, that some had yet to do so despite numerous reminders.

Our commitment to transforming the lives of 1.3 million dedicated private security officers is stronger than ever. Fair remuneration of KES 30,000 and professional development are at the heart of this industry reform agenda.

By integrating private security officers into the… pic.twitter.com/0g8MKdk6ZC
— Private Security Regulatory Authority (@PSRAuthority) June 11, 2024

Fazul said some firms had delayed their submissions of legal commitments under the Private Security Regulation Act No. 23 of 2016 or simply refused to comply.

He warned that tough measures would be taken against all firms that would not have complied with the regulations by June 17 and that the PSRA would not send any more reminders.

"Any private security company failing to submit a duly signed and commissioned legal commitment will face immediate cancellation of their certificate of registration and subsequent deregistration from the register of licenced private security providers in Kenya."

He added that the authority would conduct periodic reviews to check the compliance status of private security companies.

The authority has been championing fair wages for security officers across the country, who number at least 1.3 million.

During a recent mass mobilisation of the Guard Force Number in Uhuru Park, Fazul said security officers work long hours and therefore needed overtime pay. He noted that they work 72 hours a week, yet the Employment Act of 2007 places the figure at 52.

According to the Act, a security officer takes home Sh18,994 as the minimum wage, Sh2,849 as the house allowance, and Sh8,156 as overtime pay, with the statutory deductions set at Sh1,080 for the National Social Security Fund (Sh1080), Sh825 for the Social Health Insurance Fund (Sh825), Sh1229.75 as PAYE, and Sh450 as the affordable housing levy.

Guards also have to be issued with a Security Force number, which requires PSRA training.