Guards to pocket Sh45,000 in new CBA

Kenya National Private Security Workers’ Union General Secretary Isaac Andabwa and KK Security Managing Director Chris Manning in Kisumu on May 6, 2019. [Kevine Omollo]

At least 1,000 KK Security guards will earn a minimum of Sh45,000 per month after a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) was signed.

The highest paid guard will take home Sh75,000 per month.

Kenya National Private Security Workers’ Union General Secretary Isaac Andabwa, who signed the deal with the firm’s managing director Chris Manning, said this was a 10 per cent pay increase.

However, those benefiting from the CBA are guards working with the US embassy in Nairobi.

Andabwa said another deal will be negotiated for the rest of the over 10,000 guards across the country.

He said they could not be included in the deal because they have different terms of employment, depending on clients and region where they are based.

This signing of the CBA was a culmination of six years of negotiations.

Andabwa said his union is determined to fight for better terms and conditions of work for their members.

The agreement shows a guard will take home Sh21,500 in basic salary, Sh5,000 house allowance, Sh3,000 leave allowance and Sh2,500 transport allowance.

Other benefits are Sh150 daily for lunch, Sh120 night allowance and Sh200 cleaning allowance.

Before the deal, the lowest paid guard earned Sh14,000 as basic salary.

“We know it is important for stakeholders in this sector to do the right thing and we have done our part,” said Manning.

Payment of the benefits has been backdated to March 2017 when the agreement was supposed to have been implemented.

“This agreement was negotiated in 2013 and should have been effected in 2017. However, due to some misunderstandings between the union and the previous KK management, signing of the CBA was delayed. But we are glad that it has happened. The union we will trace all those eligible to benefit from the agreement. In case someone died, their dependants will be given their money,” said Andabwa.