Nairobi Governor Sakaja Urges Improved Pay for Private Security Guards » Capital News
NAIROBI, Kenya, March 30 – Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has called on stakeholders in the private security sector to devise a plan leading to improved pay for security personnel, bouncers, and stewards.
Speaking during the Mass Registration For Private Security Guard Force Numbers, Sakaja criticized private security firms for mistreating their employees by paying them below the revised minimum wages set by the government.
“Some private security companies charge between 40,000-50,000 Shillings per guard but end up greatly underpaying them,” stated the City Governor.
He emphasized the need for a roadmap to address this issue, urging companies to adjust their charges and profit margins to ensure compliance with government-mandated minimum wage standards.
Governor Sakaja pledged his support for the implementation of any agreed-upon roadmap within a timeframe of two to three months, warning of consequences for non-compliance.
The Private Security Regulatory Authority (PSRA) recently set a minimum wage of 18,994 Shillings for security guards, along with other allowances, totaling a gross pay of 30,000 Shillings.
PSRA Director-General Fazul Mahamed promised to publish the names of security companies failing to adhere to the minimum wage requirement within a week.
Sakaja cautioned against actions that could lead to job losses in the sector, urging dialogue between employees and employers.
The move aims to regulate the sector and address concerns about the sustainability of the new pay structure, with fears that it could lead to financial challenges for many firms.
Two years ago, the Ministry of Labour set the minimum wage for private security guards at 16,959 Shillings in Nairobi, Kisumu, Mombasa, and Nakuru, with lower rates in other areas.