Private security firms now have seven days to submit guarantees assuring their commitment to upholding the minimum wage for their employees, according to a notice from the Private Security Regulatory Authority (PSRA).

In a letter to private security companies, PSRA CEO Fazul Mohamed specified that they must pledge to pay a minimum wage of Sh30,000 for those working within the Nairobi Metropolitan Area (NMA) and Sh27,183 outside the NMA.

The directive also mandates private security companies to maintain accurate records of all payments and statutory deductions made to their officers.

Fazul emphasized the legal obligation, stating, "ALL private security companies MUST sign and submit a copy of the Legal Commitment to pay the government-set minimum wage for private security officers within seven days."

The notice also warned that the consequences for non-compliance are severe

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"Any private security company that fails to submit a duly signed and commissioned copy of the Legal Commitment within the next 7 days from the date of this directive SHALL be subjected to a statutory review of its registration and licensing status in accordance with Section 32 of the Act," the notice read.

The move comes in the wake of a wage hike implemented by PSRA in November of the previous year.

At that time, Fazul set a minimum wage of Sh18,994.08 for security guards, inclusive of a home allowance of Sh2,849.11 and an overtime allowance of Sh8,156.81, resulting in a total gross pay of Sh30,000.

This adjustment aimed to improve the terms of service and benefits for private security officers.

Fazul underscored the legal ramifications of non-compliance, stating, "A person who hires, employs or otherwise engages the services of any private security service provider and pays or remunerates them below the mandated basic minimum wage prescribed herein commits an offence and shall be liable to a fine or to both such fine and imprisonment in the case of a natural person and two million shillings in the case of a corporate."

Private security companies are now under pressure to swiftly respond to the government's call for commitment to fair wages, as the deadline looms large, even as small players in the security sector risk closure if they fail to comply given some clients do not pay them such hefty amounts per security guard.