KNPSWU Chief Dr. Isaac GM Andabwa (OGW) Demands Immediate Government Action Against Exploitative Security FirmsNairobi
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Nairobi, 3rd June 2025 —
The Kenya National Private Security Workers Union (KNPSWU) has issued a sharp rebuke to government regulators, accusing them of enabling widespread exploitation in the private security sector by turning a blind eye to non-compliant firms.
Addressing journalists in Nairobi, KNPSWU Secretary General Dr. Isaac GM Andabwa (OGW) criticized the Private Security Regulatory Authority (PSRA) for licensing security companies that consistently flout labor laws, particularly on wage payment and worker welfare.
Dr. Andabwa painted a grim picture of the conditions facing private security officers, highlighting cases such as Kakamega County, where guards have reportedly gone unpaid for more than six months.
“These are individuals with families and responsibilities. It is inhumane and indefensible that those mandated to enforce compliance are allowing this exploitation to persist,” he said.
He called on PSRA to immediately revoke the licenses of companies found to be violating the law, insisting that regulatory compliance must be enforced without favoritism.
The union chief also underscored the vulnerability of non-unionized guards, many of whom, he said, endure substandard pay and poor working conditions due to lack of collective representation.
“Too many of our colleagues are suffering in silence outside the union framework. They earn below minimum wage and have no platform to speak for their rights. It’s time they stop shouting from the outside and join the union – their rightful shield and voice,” said Dr. Andabwa.
Shifting focus to security concerns, he urged the Inspector General of Police to prioritize the protection of private security personnel, citing an alarming rise in violent attacks — some fatal — against guards on duty.
“We cannot continue to bury our members in silence. Their families deserve justice and compensation. If the authorities fail to act, we are prepared to seek legal redress,” he warned, adding that the union is compiling county-level data on such incidents.
KNPSWU reaffirmed its commitment to advocating for the rights, dignity, and safety of private security workers nationwide and vowed to hold both employers and regulators accountable.
#SecurityJustice #KNPSWU #LaborRights
