President William Ruto has announced a raft of reforms targeting Kenya’s private security sector, with a strong emphasis on fair pay, improved working conditions, and professional recognition for officers across the country.
Speaking at State House, Nairobi, during a meeting with representatives of private security officers, the President underscored the critical role the workforce plays in safeguarding both national security and economic activity.
He noted that private security officers are deployed in homes, schools, hospitals, factories, farms, and places of worship, making them an essential part of the country’s security infrastructure.
Ruto said the government will move immediately to enforce compliance with the minimum wage, warning private security firms against continued violations of labour laws.
The directive is expected to impact thousands of officers who have long raised concerns over low pay and poor employment terms.
“Private security officers must be paid and treated with dignity,” the President said, adding that their contribution to protecting lives, businesses, and public institutions must be matched with fair compensation and respect.
To guide the reform process, Ruto established a multi-agency taskforce bringing together the Ministries of Interior and Labour, the Private Security Regulatory Authority, the National Police Service, and key industry stakeholders.
The team has been given 60 days to develop a comprehensive framework aimed at improving welfare standards, strengthening regulation, and enhancing professionalism within the sector.
Among the key proposals is the harmonisation of training standards to ensure consistency and quality across the industry.
The government also plans to introduce clear career progression pathways to enable officers to grow within the profession.
Additionally, the President directed the development of a structured framework to enhance collaboration between private security officers and the police, a move aimed at improving coordination in addressing security challenges nationwide.
In a notable policy shift, Ruto also ordered the removal of terms such as “watchman” and “guards” from official government documents, describing them as outdated and rooted in colonial-era language.
He said all personnel will now be formally recognised as private security officers.
The reforms signal a broader effort by the government to formalise and dignify the sector, which employs a significant portion of Kenya’s workforce.