COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli, in a notice dated December 9, 2025, highlighted widespread non-compliance across the sector.
According to his findings, out of 2,000 registered private security firms, only 30 fully adhere to tax and labour regulations.
Atwoli revealed that more than 800 firms neither pay their workers the minimum wage nor comply with government labour laws.
Atwoli revealed that more than 800 firms neither pay their workers the minimum wage nor comply with government labour laws.
Another 800 companies were found to lack physical business locations, raising questions about their operations and accountability.
“The unethical practice of withholding fair pay from guards is unacceptable,” Atwoli warned.
“The unethical practice of withholding fair pay from guards is unacceptable,” Atwoli warned.
“COTU will not tolerate this going forward. Every security officer deserves decent pay and dignity.”
He urged all private security companies to immediately adjust salaries to meet the KSh 30,000 minimum and threatened that non-compliant firms would face legal action.
He urged all private security companies to immediately adjust salaries to meet the KSh 30,000 minimum and threatened that non-compliant firms would face legal action.
The letter was copied to Labour Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua, calling for urgent government intervention.
The directive comes amid reports of rampant underpayment, redundancies, and poor working conditions in the private security sector.
The directive comes amid reports of rampant underpayment, redundancies, and poor working conditions in the private security sector.
According to the Kenya National Private Security Workers Union (KNPSWU), over 1.2 million security officers serve across the country, yet most earn below the government’s minimum wage.
KNPSWU welcomed Atwoli’s action, describing it as timely and necessary.
KNPSWU welcomed Atwoli’s action, describing it as timely and necessary.
“The Secretary General’s intervention shows COTU’s commitment to defending workers’ rights. Private security officers deserve fair pay and respect for their work,” the union stated.
The union added that the sector has long suffered from poor compliance with labour laws. Many companies exploit guards through low wages, unpaid overtime, and unfair dismissals.
The KSh 30,000 minimum wage for security officers has legal backing. In 2024, the High Court upheld the government’s wage order, rejecting petitions from some private security firms that had challenged the decision.
The union added that the sector has long suffered from poor compliance with labour laws. Many companies exploit guards through low wages, unpaid overtime, and unfair dismissals.
The KSh 30,000 minimum wage for security officers has legal backing. In 2024, the High Court upheld the government’s wage order, rejecting petitions from some private security firms that had challenged the decision.
Despite the ruling, reports indicate that many firms have continued to underpay their staff.
Atwoli’s notice serves as a renewed call for accountability, stressing that the government and trade unions will work together to ensure compliance.
For security officers, compliance with the wage directive is critical. Many guards work long hours in high-risk environments, often without adequate protection or benefits.
Atwoli’s notice serves as a renewed call for accountability, stressing that the government and trade unions will work together to ensure compliance.
For security officers, compliance with the wage directive is critical. Many guards work long hours in high-risk environments, often without adequate protection or benefits.
Increasing salaries to the mandated minimum would not only improve their livelihoods but also boost morale and reduce exploitation.
Workers’ rights advocates argue that fair compensation is key to professionalism and service quality in the security sector.
Workers’ rights advocates argue that fair compensation is key to professionalism and service quality in the security sector.
Paying officers appropriately ensures that companies can retain skilled personnel and reduce turnover.
COTU has called on the Labour Cabinet Secretary to take swift action against companies that fail to implement the wage directive.
COTU has called on the Labour Cabinet Secretary to take swift action against companies that fail to implement the wage directive.
Enforcement measures may include inspections, penalties, and legal proceedings against defaulters.
Atwoli emphasized that Kenya’s labour movement remains committed to defending workers’ dignity and ensuring that government policies are implemented effectively.
Atwoli emphasized that Kenya’s labour movement remains committed to defending workers’ dignity and ensuring that government policies are implemented effectively.
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