Kenya’s Private Security Regulatory Authority Shuts Down 27 Illegal Security Firms

• The Private Security Regulatory Authority (PSRA) shut down 27 unlicensed firms as part of a nationwide campaign against illegal security organisations
• Kenya has over 100,000 registered private security officers, all of whom are screened, trained, and issued identification numbers
• PSRA CEO Philip Okello accused the county and national governments of failing to settle dues owed to security firms

TUKO.co.ke journalist Japhet Ruto has over eight years of experience in financial, business, and technology reporting, offering insights into Kenyan and global economic trends.

Amid growing concerns over the rapid rise of rogue operators, the Private Security Regulatory Authority (PSRA) has launched a nationwide crackdown on illegal security companies, shutting down 27 unlicensed firms.

Speaking before the Senate National Security, Defence, and Foreign Relations Committee, PSRA chief executive officer (CEO) Philip Okello warned that unregulated firms are increasingly infiltrating the sector, undermining professionalism and posing security risks.

Why did PSRA shut down 27 security firms?

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Okello told the committee, chaired by Isiolo senator Fatuma Dullo, that the authority, mandated to regulate and license private security organisations and personnel, issues licenses only to foreign companies with local shareholding and those wholly owned by Kenyans.

“Many security companies in our country operate illegally. To ensure strict adherence to professional and ethical standards, which are crucial to this vital sector, we have launched a crackdown and shut down 27 firms so far,” Okello reveaved, as reported by KTN News.

He stated that, to maintain professionalism, Kenya has over 100,000 registered private security officers, all of whom are screened, trained, and issued identification numbers before deployment.

Despite this, Okello expressed concern over county governments’ failure to pay for security services, accusing the devolved units of neglecting their contractual obligations to private firms.

“The counties’ refusal to pay for the services provided by private security firms is a major issue. They are now struggling to make ends meet as a result. We are requesting assistance from the Senate in this matter,” he pleaded.

The CEO compared this with the national government, which he said has reduced delays by 67% and improved its payment record.

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What was PSRA’s request?

Okello asked Parliament to expedite the Private Security Regulation Act’s regulations’ approval and implementation.

He said that the authority’s capacity to generates its own revenue has been severely hampered by the delay.

“It should be mentioned that although the PSRA was operationalised in 2020, the act that established it was ratified in 2016. The regulations have never been approved since. I am therefore unable to collect levies from Kenyans,” Okello said.

How did security guards win in court?

Following the High Court’s upholding of a PSRA legal notice, private security guards in Kenya will henceforth be paid a minimum of KSh 30,000 per month.

A legal notice issued by the PSRA requiring private security guards to receive a minimum pay of KSh 30,000 per month was upheld by Justice Matthews Nderi

John Kipkorir had filed a petition contesting the wage increase on behalf of the Private Security Industry Association (PSIA).

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Employers risk a KSh 2 million penalties if they do not pay the required minimum wage.

Source: TUKO.co.ke