President William Ruto on Thursday hosted more than 5,000 private security officers at State House, Nairobi, in what has been described by the Private Security Regulatory Authority (PSRA) as the first formal engagement of its kind between a Kenyan Head of State and workers from the country’s private security industry.

The meeting brought together security guards drawn from licensed private security companies, professional associations and labour unions from across Kenya. It provided a platform for officers in the sector to present their concerns directly to the President while receiving updates on the government’s plans to strengthen regulation and improve standards within the industry.

According to the PSRA, invitations were issued to registered private security firms ahead of the event requesting them to facilitate the attendance of their officers at the meeting, which was scheduled to begin at 8:00 a.m. at State House.

The engagement comes at a time when the private security sector continues to push for the full implementation of the Private Security Regulation Act, legislation intended to professionalise the industry through improved regulation, licensing, training and employment standards.

Private security officers have, over the years, consistently raised concerns over low wages, long working hours, delayed salaries, inadequate welfare provisions and inconsistent employment terms across different firms. Industry stakeholders have also called for uniform training standards, enhanced career progression and stronger enforcement of existing labour and regulatory requirements.

Addressing the gathering, President Ruto reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to improving labour conditions across various sectors and acknowledged the contribution of private security officers to public safety.

“Private security officers play a vital role in safeguarding businesses, institutions and communities. The government is committed to working with all stakeholders to strengthen the sector and improve the welfare of its workforce,” President Ruto said.

The President noted that the government recognises the private security industry as an important partner in Kenya’s broader security architecture, complementing the work of the National Police Service and other state security agencies.

The meeting also provided an opportunity for representatives of private security associations and unions to outline challenges affecting the profession. Among the issues highlighted were the implementation of statutory minimum wages, compliance with labour laws, access to adequate training, occupational safety, medical cover and stronger enforcement of regulations governing private security companies.

Officials from the Private Security Regulatory Authority reiterated the agency’s commitment to enforcing the Private Security Regulation Act and promoting professionalism across the industry.

“The implementation of the Private Security Regulation Act remains central to our efforts to create a professional, accountable and well-regulated private security sector,” the PSRA has previously stated in its public communications.

The private security industry employs tens of thousands of Kenyans and provides security services to residential estates, commercial buildings, financial institutions, schools, hospitals, factories and critical infrastructure. Despite its significant contribution to public safety and employment, stakeholders have long argued that many officers continue to work under challenging conditions that require regulatory and policy intervention.

Thursday’s meeting forms part of a broader series of consultations President Ruto has recently held with various professional, religious and community groups at State House. The engagements are intended to strengthen communication between the government and different sectors while providing an avenue for stakeholders to present issues affecting their industries.

Although the meeting is expected to inform future policy decisions, any reforms arising from the discussions will require implementation through the relevant government agencies, including the Ministry of Interior and National Administration, the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, and the Private Security Regulatory Authority.

The engagement represents a significant moment for Kenya’s private security industry, offering officers a direct forum to engage the country’s leadership on matters affecting their profession while reinforcing ongoing efforts to improve regulation, professional standards and working conditions within the sector.