NAIROBI Kenya February 16 -The setting of the minimum wage for private security guards is progressive and within the law, the Ministry of Interior has said.
While apprising the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security, the Interior Principal Secretary Dr Raymond Omollo on February 16 reaffirmed their commitment to champion the cause of the guards for tirelessly protecting the homes, businesses, and communities.
According to PS Omollo, the move by the Private Security Regulatory Authority (PSRA) to set a minimum wage of Sh30,000 for guards is progressive and captured in the Private Security Regulations, 2024, that guarantees their rights and welfare.
On February 15, the PS also held a meeting with the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) to discuss the welfare of the guards.
The government has reinforced private security reforms aimed at improving the business environment and also pushed for salary increase.
The PSRA has also directed that services will only be procured from licensed security firms and that the training of private security personnel is mandatory.
KEPSA was represented by the Deputy CEO Victor Ogalo in the meeting where the much needed partnership in cybersecurity management was also discussed.
PSRA has adopted a raft of measures to professionalize the industry and improve the welfare of the guards through salary reviews, security vetting, training and issuing of the guard force numbers.
On February 5, for example, PSRA cancelled the operating licences of nine major security companies for violations of various regulations.
“Pursuant to Sections 10 (c), 31 (b) and 32 of the Private Security Regulation Act No. 13 of 2016, the Authority hereby notifies users, prospective users, representatives of users of private security services and the general public that it has with immediate effect cancelled the certificates of registration and licenses of the Private Security Companies listed in the schedule hereto,” the notice read.
The grounds listed as being behind the move include claims they have breached the provisions of the Private Security Regulation Act and also violated the terms and conditions attached to their certificates of registration as corporate private security service providers.
The firms are also accused of having failed, declined and refused to comply with minimum wage regulations and for also employing guards who are not in possession of Guard Force Numbers as proof of registration by the Authority.
The affected firms included Victory Protective Services Africa Limited, Victory Consultants Limited, Bedrock Security Services Limited and Bedrock Security Alarms Systems and Product Limited.
Others are Senaca East Africa Limited, Hipora Security Solutions Limited, Salama Fikira International (Kenya) Limited, Marco Security Limited and Superb Marketing Solutions Limited.
However, on February 14, the Employment and Labour Relations Court dismissed the case filed by the companies that were deregistered.
The Court ruled that the cancellation of licenses, even on the grounds of non-compliance with minimum wage regulation is not a labour issue but rather a legal and a regulatory discourse between security firms and the regulator.
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