In a significant development, the High Court in Eldoret has intervened to halt the implementation of a controversial legal notice issued by the Private Security Regulatory Authority (PSRA). The notice, released on November 2, mandated security firms to pay guards a minimum of Sh30,000 per month, a move contested by a section of private security firms.
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The Association of North Rift Security Firms took the matter to court on November 30, challenging the practicality of the directive. Justice Wananda Anuro granted a temporary order of stay on December 1, dealing a blow to the PSRA’s wage requirement.
Lawyers representing the security firms argued that the legal notice violated consumer rights and labor laws. According to PSRA regulations, a security guard’s basic pay should be Sh18,994.08, with additional allowances, resulting in a net pay of Sh26,415.25 after deductions.
The court’s decision provides relief to security firms facing a potential Sh2 million penalty for paying guards below the stipulated monthly salary. The case is scheduled for further discussion on January 18, 2024, to confirm compliance and establish further directions.
The Association of North Rift Security Firms applauded the court’s intervention, describing it as a victory in their ongoing legal battle against the PSRA directive. Chairman Charles Langat emphasized the financial strain on small security firms, stating that the prescribed minimum wage would make it unsustainable for them to continue operations.
This legal dispute highlights the tension between regulatory measures and the economic viability of businesses, particularly affecting smaller security firms. The outcome of the case will likely have broader implications for the private security sector, shaping future wage regulations and the industry’s overall landscape.
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