President William Ruto has called for greater recognition and respect for Kenya’s private security workforce, saying the commonly used terms “watchman” and “guard” are outdated and fail to reflect the professional role played by licensed private security personnel.
Speaking on Thursday while hosting more than 5,000 private security officers at State House, Nairobi, the President said officers in the industry should be addressed as private security officers, arguing that the change in terminology is part of a broader effort to professionalise the sector and enhance the dignity of those employed in it.
“As private security officers, you want to be respected, and names such as ‘watchmen’ and ‘guards’ are disrespectful,” President Ruto said.
The meeting, organised with the participation of the Private Security Regulatory Authority (PSRA), brought together officers from licensed private security firms, professional associations and labour unions from across the country. It has been described by the regulator as the first formal engagement between a Kenyan Head of State and thousands of workers from the private security industry.
President Ruto said private security officers form an essential part of Kenya’s security system by protecting businesses, homes, schools, hospitals, financial institutions and other public and private facilities. He noted that although they operate outside the National Police Service, their contribution to public safety deserves greater recognition and improved working conditions.
The President also announced a series of measures intended to improve the welfare of private security officers. Among them was a directive raising the minimum monthly wage for private security officers to KSh30,000. He further instructed employers to comply fully with statutory obligations, including remitting contributions to the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) and the Social Health Authority (SHA) for eligible employees.
In addition, President Ruto reaffirmed the government’s commitment to fully implementing the Private Security Regulation Act, legislation enacted to professionalise the sector through licensing, training standards, oversight and improved accountability.
The Act established the Private Security Regulatory Authority, which is mandated to regulate private security service providers, register security officers and enforce standards across the industry. Stakeholders have long argued that full implementation of the law is essential to improving employment conditions and ensuring uniform professional standards.
Representatives of private security associations and labour unions welcomed the engagement, saying it provided a rare opportunity for officers to present concerns directly to the Head of State. Key issues raised included low wages, long working hours, delayed salaries, inadequate welfare provisions, occupational safety and stronger enforcement of labour laws.
According to the PSRA, the meeting formed part of ongoing efforts to strengthen collaboration between the government, regulators, employers and workers in an industry that employs tens of thousands of Kenyans.
The engagement also reflects the government’s broader consultations with professional and community groups on sector-specific reforms. In recent months, President Ruto has hosted various stakeholders at State House to discuss policy priorities and gather feedback on issues affecting different segments of society.
The President said recognising private security officers as professionals goes beyond changing job titles and should be accompanied by practical reforms that improve their welfare, working environment and career development.
The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment by the government and industry stakeholders to continue implementing reforms aimed at strengthening regulation, improving labour standards and enhancing the professionalism of Kenya’s private security sector.
