Atwoli: Corruption Is A Menace Within The Private Security Sector In Kenya
Central Organization of Trade Unions Secretary General Dr. Francis Atwoli
By: Our Correspondent
Worth Noting:
- “We cannot have a CEO who does not understand the dynamics of the sector be in office for over 10 yrs.” The government is losing billions of money, under the watchful eyes of PSRA.
- We have over 2,500 registered private security firms and service providers in Kenya. Majority of these firms operate below standards and are in gross violation of the employment and labour relations provisions. They pay their employees far below the government minimum wage requirements, with no remittances of PAYE, NSSF and NHIF which are statutory mandatory obligations and a right for an employee; they subject their employees to unconducive working conditions, whilst minting millions of cash from clients and making profits at the expense of the dedicated workers and evading tax.
The Central Organization of Trade Unions Secretary General Dr. Francis Atwoli has lashed out at the Private Security Regulatory Authority (PSRA) Director General, Fazul Mahammad for incompetency and inability to drive reforms in the private security industry.
While addressing Kenya National Private Security Workers Union (KNPSWU), National Executive Council at solidarity Centre, Atwoli said it’s quite injudicious for the guards to continue facing exploitation and unfair working conditions despite having a regulator, which the union lobbied and tirelessly championed to have it in place.
COTU(K) has received an alarming number of petitions from current and former employees of the many rogue private security firms that have blatantly refused to observe minimum wage guidelines, notwithstanding the gazettement of the minimum wage by the government.
Atwoli called for an overhaul of the Private Security Regulatory Authority (PRSA) board starting with the current CEO, Fazul Mahammed. The composition of the new board should reflect and respect the specifications as outlined in the private security regulation act.
“We cannot have a CEO who does not understand the dynamics of the sector be in office for over 10 yrs.” The government is losing billions of money, under the watchful eyes of PSRA.
We have over 2,500 registered private security firms and service providers in Kenya. Majority of these firms operate below standards and are in gross violation of the employment and labour relations provisions. They pay their employees far below the government minimum wage requirements, with no remittances of PAYE, NSSF and NHIF which are statutory mandatory obligations and a right for an employee; they subject their employees to unconducive working conditions, whilst minting millions of cash from clients and making profits at the expense of the dedicated workers and evading tax.
Atwoli chastised PSRA CEO for abetting corruption by issuing compliance certificates to briefcase security firms. He urged the government to intervene and ensure all private security firms operating in Kenya enforce the minimum wage decree, else close business.
“We would like to invite the government to be magnanimous enough to consider reviewing the minimum wage upwards considering the erosion in purchasing power that has been occasioned by the high cost of living.”
He called upon President William Ruto to stamp authority within his administration and double efforts towards the war against graft. He thanked the president for the continued efforts in removing visa restrictions for several countries such as South Africa, Comoros, and Congo Brazzaville, this will open job and business opportunities for Kenyans, said Atwoli.
Atwoli called on Kenyans to support the government, shun demonstrations and speak openly and loudly against corruption, and avoid selling personal crucial documents such as passports, work permits and identity cards to foreigners.
The Union delegation led by Isaac GM Andabwa (OGW), challenged the legislatures to support policies and laws bound to cushion workers from exploitation. Let mandated offices take full charge by assisting the government achieve its targets and goals through the Bottom- up economic transformational agenda (BETA). Why announce minimum wage increment while on the other hand PSRA is busy issuing clearance and compliant certificates to firms that pay far below the minimum wage, posed Andabwa.
The Union leader called for the government to support his course of ensuring that reforms are actualized within the private security industry. My vision and dream is to establish a training security academy that will foster a professional and progressive career path growth among the guards as well as empowerment through the establishment of a sector Sacco.
Andabwa challenged the government against a selective approach in addressing the plight of guards. Why recruit, train, and arm police reservists, yet we have able and competent private security officers that can do the job better, posed Andabwa. The cadre is no longer a dumping site for retirees from government uniformed security officers. It is currently employing direct and fresh youths from learning institutions. Let the government consider arming guards that are undertaking sensitive assignments such as Cash In Transit (CIT), banks, and shopping malls.
“We are no longer “wachtmen” but private security officers as captured in the Act, complementing state security agencies and we must be respected, said Andabwa.
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