Kenya’s private security regulator has launched a fierce crackdown on rogue operators, shutting down 27 unlicensed firms in a sweeping nationwide operation.
Private Security Regulatory Authority (PSRA) CEO Philip Okello delivered the strong warning Thursday while appearing before the Senate National Security, Defence and Foreign Relations Committee, chaired by Senator Fatuma Dullo.
“Many mushrooming security firms are operating illegally,” Okello said. “We have launched a crackdown and closed 27 so far.”
The authority says unregulated players are flooding the market, eroding professional standards and putting clients at serious security risk. Only fully Kenyan-owned companies or foreign firms with substantial local shareholding qualify for PSRA licensing.
Kenya’s private security industry now employs over 100,000 vetted and trained guards, all issued official identification numbers. Yet hundreds of fly-by-night outfits continue to undercut legitimate players.
Okello also highlighted persistent payment delays from county governments, noting that while the national government has reduced delays by 67%, many counties still owe contractors.
He appealed to Parliament to fast-track the long-awaited operational regulations under the Private Security Regulation Act. Without them, the PSRA cannot levy fees on the industry and remains fully dependent on the National Treasury.
“Once the regulations are in place, we can generate between Sh800 million and Sh1.2 billion annually through licensing and compliance levies,” Okello said.
The PSRA’s core mandate is to register service providers, license personnel, enforce training and labour standards, vet guards, and ensure close collaboration with national security agencies. The ongoing crackdown forms part of a broader push to professionalize the sector.
Legitimate security firms have welcomed the move, saying it will level the playing field and restore public trust in private security services.
What Kenyans Need to Know:
– Rogue firms now face immediate closure.
– Employers hiring unlicensed guards risk heavy penalties.
– Always verify a company’s PSRA licence and guards’ official IDs before signing contracts.
The regulator’s message is loud and clear: Kenya’s private security sector is under new management — and the era of cowboy operators is coming to an end.
