Security Companies Given Ultimatum Over ” Illegal” Deductions, Ordered to Refund Money

The Private Security Regulatory Authority (PSRA) has instructed all private security companies to stop deducting money from their employees’ salaries for training.

In a statement on Wednesday, June 19, 2024, PSRA noted that it has been keeping a close eye on concerns raised by security guards about money taken from their pay for training.

“The Authority has been closely monitoring the concerns raised by private security guards regarding unauthorized deductions from their salaries to cover the costs of mandatory security training,” reads part of the statement.

PSRA called these deductions unauthorized and noted that they would not be allowed. Reports indicated that some security guards had up to Ksh10,000 taken from their pay for training.

Fazul Warns Security Companies 

Further, Fazul Mahamed, the Director General of PSRA, expressed his disapproval noting that some companies take as much as Ksh 10,000 from security guards, which ends up hurting their finances.

Fazul Mahamed ordered that henceforth no security company will be allowed to deduct money from security guards for training.

“Therefore, effective immediately, no private security company shall deduct monies from private security officers (security guards) to cover security training costs.

Also Read: Govt Issues 7- Day Ultimatum to Employers Over 30K Salary for Guards

“In addition, any security company that has already deducted monies from the security guard for mandatory security training must promptly refund the deducted amount,” reads part of the statement in part.

This directive follows the enactment of the Private Security Regulation Act 2016, which states that security companies must facilitate basic and ongoing training for their staff.  

He also added that the companies must train employees on laws, first aid, gender issues, and other important topics.

PSRA also said all companies that had already deducted money for training will be required to refund promptly.

The Authority warned that companies not following these rules could have their registration and license reviewed under Section 32 of the Act.

PSRA Introduce 30k Salary to Security Officers 

PSRA had on June 10, given private security companies seven days to follow a new circular requiring them to pay security guards at least Ksh30,000.

Also Read: Nationwide Crackdown on Security Companies Kicks Off

The Director General Fazul Mohamed told security companies to promise in writing that the minimum wage for security guards would be adjusted accordingly within a week.

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