Last Friday, the Kenya Security Industry Association and the Protective and Safety Association of Kenya opposed the directive to increase the salary for guards terming it unilateral, without legal basis and meant to create a disruption to the provision of private security services in the country.

The two bodies argued that the process preceding the Private Security Regulatory Authority’s directives on minimum wage was not consultative, adding that matters of remuneration of any cadre of employees is a matter reserved for the Cabinet Secretary responsible for labour matters.

The associations have also claimed the amount proposed was unaffordable, citing economic downturn and warned that implementing the directive may force some firms out of business.

Be that as it may, none of the institutions that oppose the pay rise has ever addressed the issue of the exploitation of guards. There is an urgent need to end the reported exploitation and give them pay commensurate to their work.

Even as some of these big security firms are being investigated for tax evasion, for example, through under declaration or non-declaration of income, reports indicate that some of the owners are collecting millions of shillings from clients but pay the guards peanuts.

Some security firms charge their clients as high as Sh50,000 per guard but pay their staff a paltry Sh10,000.

According to the PSRA, the total minimum pay should be Sh30,000, while the statutory deductions are to be National Social Security Fund (NSSF) of Sh1,080, Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) of Sh825, Pay as You Earn Sh1,229.75 and affordable house levy of Sh450. However, some firms do not remit some of these statutory deductions, further exposing the guards.

The sector currently employs over 900,000 people, with the industry worth more than Sh100 billion annually, and regarded a critical driver for Kenya’s economy in terms of job creation and contribution to GDP growth.

Consequently, it may be counterproductive if only a few Kenyans can afford the services, leaving the businesses and homes exposed.

The guards have the potential to improve the security situation in the country but this is only possible if they are well remunerated to deliver their services in a professional manner.

Equally, any efforts to regulate the industry, including the processes of coming up with the basic pay, must be consultative and most importantly, anchored in law.