Kenyan President William Samoei Ruto has announced a series of reforms aimed at improving the welfare, professional standards, and public recognition of private security officers, describing the sector as an essential partner in safeguarding the country’s people, businesses, and institutions. Speaking during a meeting with representatives of private security companies and officers at State House in Nairobi, the President outlined measures intended to enhance working conditions, strengthen collaboration with law enforcement agencies, and elevate the status of the profession within Kenya’s national security framework.
President Ruto said the government would immediately enforce compliance with the country’s minimum wage requirements across the private security industry while pursuing broader improvements in remuneration and workplace conditions. He stated that a multi-agency task force, bringing together the Ministries of Interior and Labour, the Private Security Regulatory Authority, the National Police Service, and representatives of the private security industry, has been established to develop a comprehensive framework within 60 days to improve the welfare of security officers. According to the President, the initiative will also harmonize training standards, provide clearer career progression pathways, and create mechanisms for closer operational cooperation between police officers and private security personnel in protecting communities nationwide.
The reforms also include changes to official government terminology. President Ruto announced that references to “watchmen” and “guards” will be removed from government documents and replaced with the title “private security officers.” He said the previous terms reflected a colonial legacy that no longer aligns with the professionalism and responsibilities of the modern security workforce. “Private security officers are indispensable partners in maintaining national security,” President Ruto said, adding that they deserve dignity, professional recognition, and opportunities for career development. He further emphasized, “These officers protect homes, schools, hospitals, factories, farms and places of worship, making them a critical pillar of the country’s security infrastructure and economic productivity.”
Representatives of the private security sector welcomed the government’s commitment to addressing long-standing concerns affecting the profession. Participants at the meeting expressed optimism that the proposed reforms would contribute to improved working conditions, better training, and stronger cooperation with public security institutions. The announcements signal Kenya’s intention to further professionalize the private security industry while recognizing its contribution to national safety, public service, and economic resilience.
