President William Ruto is courting millions of private security officers ahead of the 2027 General Election with promises of improved pay, better working conditions and greater recognition for a workforce that plays a critical role in Kenya's security system.
The President's meeting with representatives of private security officers at State House, Nairobi, on Thursday, placed the welfare of guards at the centre of his administration's latest engagement with workers as the race for political support ahead of the next election begins to take shape.
President Ruto announced a raft of reforms targeting the sector, including enforcement of the minimum wage, improved training standards, clearer career progression and stronger collaboration between private security firms and state security agencies.
"We are implementing key reforms to improve the welfare, professionalism and recognition of private security officers, who are indispensable partners in maintaining national security," President Ruto said.
The announcement comes as political activity builds ahead of the 2027 polls, with the government seeking to strengthen its appeal among workers and low-income earners who form a significant voting bloc across the country.
Private security officers, estimated to number hundreds of thousands, are among Kenya's largest organised groups of workers. They provide security services in residential estates, schools, hospitals, factories, businesses, farms and places of worship, making them an important constituency for political leaders seeking nationwide support.
For years, the sector has been characterised by complaints of low wages, long working hours, limited benefits and inadequate career opportunities despite the critical role officers play in protecting lives and property.
President Ruto acknowledged their contribution, saying their work extends beyond guarding premises to supporting national security and economic activity.
"The private security officers protect homes, schools, hospitals, factories, farms and places of worship, making them a critical pillar of the country's security infrastructure and economic productivity," he said.
Minimum wage pledge
A key highlight of the President's announcement was a directive requiring private security companies to comply with the minimum wage as provided by law.
The move addresses one of the sector's longest-standing grievances, with workers and unions repeatedly raising concerns over poor remuneration and exploitation despite the demanding nature of their duties.
President Ruto said the government would immediately begin enforcing compliance while pursuing broader reforms aimed at improving the welfare of security officers.
To oversee the changes, he established a taskforce bringing together officials from the Ministries of Interior and Labour, the Private Security Regulatory Authority, the National Police Service and representatives from the private security industry.
The team has been given 60 days to develop a framework on improving welfare, professional standards and working conditions within the sector.
The President's engagement with private security officers is expected to attract political attention due to the size and nationwide reach of the workforce.
As the 2027 presidential race gathers momentum, both the government and opposition are increasingly focusing on workers facing economic challenges, including high living costs, unemployment and stagnant incomes.
President Ruto has built much of his political messaging around economic empowerment and expanding opportunities for ordinary citizens, particularly those at the lower end of the income scale.
The latest initiative fits into that narrative, with the President positioning his administration as one that recognises and supports workers who have historically felt neglected.
Political observers say the outreach to private security officers could form part of a broader strategy to consolidate support among working-class voters ahead of the next election.
Redefining the guard's image
Beyond wages and welfare, President Ruto announced plans to change how private security officers are referred to in official government communication.
He said terms such as "watchman" and "guards" would be removed from government documents, arguing that they do not reflect the professionalism of the sector.
"These terms are a colonial relic and must be discarded. The officers will now be referred to as private security officers," he said.
The move is aimed at elevating the status of workers who have long argued that their contribution to national security deserves greater recognition.
However, the success of the reforms will depend on implementation, with security officers expected to judge the government by whether the promises translate into higher wages, improved working conditions and stronger labour protections.
