More than half a million security guards across Kenya will miss out on salary increases beginning next month. This follows the move by the National Assembly to block new regulations that would have doubled their minimum wage and give them the mandate to carry firearms.
In a report approved last month, parliament’s Committee on Delegated Legislation wants the Private Security (General) Regulations, 2019, gazetted in July by Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i, annulled. According to the report, the regulations that were supposed to come into force by January 5, 2020, failed to achieve adequate standards of public participation.
The MPs argue that it also gave questionable mandates to several State agencies. “Contrary to section 13(a) and 13(h) of the Statutory Instruments Act, 2016, the regulations are defective in drafting and the power to make regulations has not been properly invoked or require elucidation,” said the committee. It further says the regulations make rights, liberties or obligations unduly dependent upon non-reviewable decisions.
Ironically, the joint Security Industry Association comprising of the Kenya Security Industry Association, the Protective Security Industry Association and the Protective and Safety Association of Kenya also opposed the regulations. They sought a five-year implementation period. “If the regulations are effected in the current form, companies would need to pay a salary of Sh27,993 for a night guard and Sh25,641 for a day guard,” stated Enock Makanga and Cosmas Mutava, officials of the security association in their submissions.
“A client would, therefore, be required to pay a minimum Sh51,000 less administrative costs and other related charges,” said the union officials. The association said that even State agencies are yet to comply with minimum wage thresholds. The report is a blow to private security guards who have in the past raised concern about their welfare and remuneration.
The private security industry has been one of the fastest-growing sectors in the country over the past decade.
