Why 500,000 Kenyans could soon be jobless

Security officers train. [Photo/Gardaworld]

Why 500,000 Kenyans could soon be jobless

A new directive by Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i to security firms to comply with new licencing requirements could lead to a loss of 500,000 jobs.

In a gazzetted notice of September 6, 2019, the CS stated that firms that will not have complied by January 5, 2020, will be shut down.

The new regulations include,

  1. private security firms to be registered with the Private Security Regulatory Authority (PSRA). Any unregistered firm will, therefore, cease to exist.

2. All licenced firms to pay guards at least by a minimum wage.

3. Private guards to own firearms and also arrest culprits.

4. Security firms to be allowed to blow sirens.

5. Registered firms to ensure their guards undergo fresh training and wear uniforms that not similar to State security personnel.

However, the Protective Security Industry Association (PSIA) chairperson Cosmas Mutava has alleged that the January 5, 2020 deadline is impossible since they need more time to effect the new regulations.