Private security guards deserve better

The fact is that some private security companies are paying their workers poorly. This was amplified earlier this week when the private security workers appeared before Parliament and laid bare their grievances. Among the issues raised was non-remittance of statutory deductions. But one of the reasons why this could be happening is due to poor regulation of the sector and lack of appreciation of the critical work done by these security guards.

The police cannot be everywhere and this gap is filled by ‘soldiers’ as they are popularly referred to. But their fate seems to be caught up in a vicious circle. A new regulation wants better terms for the security guards which their employers say is not possible. The government regulations require them to pay Sh27,000 as minimum for each security guard.