According to a new government directory, licensed private security officers are set to receive a monthly gross compensation of Ksh.30,000, with a net pay of Ksh.26,415.
This comes as the government begins a nationwide registration, licensing, and issuing of Guard Force Numbers (GFN) for all private security firms in the country to develop a centralized database that includes the whole private security workforce.
According to Fazul Mahamed, the Director General of the Private Security Regulatory Authority, in a notice dated November 2, 2023, the Ksh.30,000 gross compensation includes a basic wage of Ksh.18,994.08, home allowance (Ksh.2,849.11), and overtime allowance (Ksh.8,156.81).
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Employers must make the following statutory deductions for security guards: NSSF (Ksh.1,080), Social Health Insurance Fund (Ksh.825), PAYE (Ksh.1,229.75), and Affordable Housing Levy (Ksh.450), with the net pay remaining at Ksh.26,415.25.
According to the notice, any person, government institution, or business organization that fails to pay a licensed security guard the mandated basic minimum salary will face a fine, imprisonment, or both in the case of a natural person and a fine of two million shillings (Ksh.2 million) in the event of a company.
Meanwhile, all private security providers must get a Guard Force Number (GFN) after receiving security training from a government-approved institution.
“The Authority has commenced nationwide registration, licensing, and issuance of Guard Force Numbers (GFN) to individual private security service providers who include but are not limited to; private security guards, corporate security officers, and all persons providing private security services, either employed or otherwise engaged by Government institutions, agencies or bodies; and/or by any individual” reads the notice in part.
Additionally, it states: "The Guard Force Number (GFN) is the only proof that a Private Security Officer has been duly registered and licenced by the Authority in accordance with the provisions of the Act."