Protective Security Industry Association fights to improve guards salary
By George Kebaso, September 24, 2019Guarding services in Kenya—usually shunned as risky and a low-class job—are likely to be more lucrative if proposals by a lobby group succeed.
Amid rising insecurity, the proposals already on the table, will see Kenyans, who can afford the services, digging deeper into their pockets for guard services.
The Protective Security Industry Association (PSIA) has proposed categorisation of security services in the country whereby the highest paid guard will go home with Sh75,000, double what they currently earn.
In a document seen by Business Hub, PSIA is proposing to have the highest paid guard being those providing services in high risk and expensive installations such as banks, institutions of higher learning and government buildings.
PSIA chairman Cosmas Mutava says this means all clients will move from the current rates they pay, to as low as Sh20, 000 per guard in category D less insecure areas.
“Categorising the security guarding industry and guard basic pay using the customer and guards’ competence and experience is recommended,”the documentation that proposes the negotiations to be done in consultation with Ministry of Labour, private security players and other authorities says.
PSIA wants guards in Category B get a minimum service charge of Sh50,000. This category includes guards offering services at construction; lower-income residential areas; in the manufacturing industry; commercial buildings and high schools.
“In Category C that covers medium-class clients within major towns but not limited to schools, churches, and residential quarters, we are seeking to have our members receive a minimum service charge of Sh35, 000,” says Mutava.