Private Security Regulatory Authority wants Atwoli out of COTU
The Private Security Regulatory Authority (PSRA) is now waging war against the Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) secretary general Francis Atwoli.
According to PSRA, Atwoli has failed to take care of the welfare of private security guards, including advocating for better pay for them.
The authority has warned that it will direct private security officers not to contribute finances to COTU until the union starts advocating for the rights, payment of minimum wage, and improved welfare of the guards.
"It is time for Atwoli to step up or ship out from COTU! Private security officers, who form the overwhelming majority of members of COTU, deserve better working conditions and improved welfare. If COTU won't advocate and subsequently fight for their rights, we'll consider delinking security guards from COTU," PSRA stated.
"We might be forced to direct private security officers not to contribute to COTU finances until and unless COTU starts advocating for the rights, payment of minimum wage, improved welfare of the Private Security Guards. No more contributions of until change happens. Private security guards and the industry might be forced to elect representatives of Private Security Union to be the new officials of COTU."
COTU responds
PSRA and COTU have been at loggerheads in the last few days with COTU accusing PSRA of being the greatest impediment to the enhancement of the rights and welfare of private security guards.
"It is COTU (K) that gave the Kenya National Private Security Workers Union (KNPSWU) impetus to revamp and as a result saw the election of Isaac Andabwa as the General Secretary for the union. PSRA has, for long, stood against the many reforms proposed by COTU (K) towards enhanced welfare of the Private Security Workers," COTU said in a statement.
"PSRA has been the greatest impediment to the enhancement of the rights and welfare of private security guards as COTU (K) has received numerous complaints on the same through our affiliate union, Kenya National Private Security Workers Union."
In February, PSRA issued a notice calling for a new minimum wage of Ksh30,000 per guard, which did not sit well with some private security firms.
"Strive to ensure all private security officers employed or otherwise engaged by the company are paid a basic minimum monthly wage of Ksh30,000 for those operating within the Nairobi Metropolitan Area and Ksh27,183 for those operating outside Nairobi Metropolitan Area," the notice read in part.
"That we hereby without any reservations whatsoever, commit to comply with the government-set minimum wage as per legal Notice No. PSRA/005/2023, the guiding principles under Article 238 (1) and 238 (2) (a) and 9(b) of the constitution, the Private Security Regulation Act No. 13 of 2016 and the terms and conditions attached to the certificate of registration."
Several private security firms are yet to comply with the directive.
