The Private Security Regulatory Authority (PSRA) has issued a stern warning to all private security companies in Kenya to comply with the government-set minimum wage for their officers or risk losing their licenses.
In a letter dated January 29, 2024, the PSRA’s Chief Executive Officer and Director General, Fazul Mahamed, said that all private security companies must sign and submit a legal commitment to pay their officers at least KES 15,201 per month, as stipulated in Legal Notice No. PSRA/005/2023.
“We make reference to the above captioned subject matter,” Mahamed wrote. “The Private Security Regulatory Authority is a Government Agency established under Section 7 of the Private Security Regulation Act No. 13 of 2016 and is charged with the responsibility of regulating the Private Security Industry in accordance with the Act and the values and principles set out in the Constitution.”
He added that the PSRA has the mandate to set standards and ensure compliance with minimum wage requirements for private security officers, also known as private security guards.
“In furtherance of the aforementioned provision of the law, ALL private security companies MUST sign and submit to info@psra.go.ke a copy of the hereto attached Legal Commitment to pay Government set minimum wage for private security officers, as stipulated in Legal Notice No. PSRA/005/2023,” he wrote.
Mahamed warned that any private security company that fails to submit a duly signed and commissioned copy of the legal commitment within the next seven days from the date of the directive will be subjected to a statutory review of its registration and licensing status in accordance with Section 32 of the Act.
“TAKE NOTICE: Any private security company that fails to submit a duly signed and commissioned copy of the Legal Commitment within the next 7 days from the date of this directive SHALL be subjected to a statutory review of its registration and licensing status in accordance with Section 32 of the Act,” he wrote.
The letter was addressed to all directors and shareholders of private security companies, all chief executive officers of private security companies, all managers of private security companies, and all private security service providers.
The PSRA’s directive comes amid growing concerns over the welfare and working conditions of private security officers in Kenya, who often work long hours for low pay and face various risks and challenges in their line of duty.
The PSRA’s minimum wage requirement is based on the recommendations of the National Security Industry Wages Council, which was established in 2019 to review and advise on the remuneration and terms of service of private security officers.
The council comprises representatives from the government, the private security industry, trade unions, and civil society.
