The Private Security Regulatory Authority (PSRA) in Kenya has initiated a move to address concerns over low-priced tenders for private security services. This move aims to ensure that private security officers' minimum wage and other statutory employment obligations are met. PSRA Chief Executive Philip Leakey Okello stated that the regulator wants tender pricing to account for minimum wage and other statutory employment costs. The authority has called on private security firms and procurement officials to submit views on the ongoing review of Standard Tender Documents and Formats used in public procurement.
The review of Standard Tender Documents and Formats is being conducted by the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA). PSRA is acting on a September 7 letter from PPRA regarding this review. The documents are used in the public procurement and asset disposal system. Okello encouraged private security service providers to scrutinize provisions governing tender pricing, evaluation criteria, and compliance with statutory minimum wages. The authority also wants stakeholders to examine statutory deductions and other mandatory employment costs.
The PSRA's move comes amid concerns in the security industry about how procurement practices affect the welfare and pay of thousands of private security officers employed across Kenya. The authority urged private security firms, industry associations, and procurement officials to study the documents and submit recommendations to PPRA as part of the review process. The Standard Tender Documents and Formats are available on the PPRA website. Stakeholders have been given until September 30 to submit their views using a template provided by PPRA.
Submissions must be sent electronically to PPRA, with copies forwarded to PSRA. The notice was addressed to industry associations, including the Kenya Security Industry Association (KSIA), Protective Security Industry Association (PSIA), and Protective and Safety Association of Kenya (PROSAK). It was also directed to directors and shareholders of private security companies, chief executive officers, heads of procurement, and private security officers.
The review aims to provide an opportunity for the industry to make recommendations on procurement rules affecting private security services. This will ensure that tendering requirements take into account the actual statutory costs of employing security officers. The PSRA, a Government agency established under the Private Security Regulation Act, is taking steps to prevent companies from winning contracts with bids that are too low to enable them to meet legal obligations to their workers.
The authority wants to discourage the award of tenders at prices that cannot reasonably support compliance with the minimum wage. This move is expected to have a positive impact on the welfare and pay of private security officers in Kenya. The PSRA's efforts are focused on ensuring that private security service providers comply with statutory requirements and provide fair wages to their employees.
The PSRA's initiative has been welcomed by industry stakeholders, who have been calling for reforms in procurement practices. The review of Standard Tender Documents and Formats is a step towards addressing the challenges faced by private security officers in Kenya. The authority's move is expected to lead to better working conditions and fair wages for thousands of private security officers employed across the country.
Key points
- The Private Security Regulatory Authority is reviewing tender documents to ensure compliance with minimum wage and statutory employment costs.
- The review aims to prevent companies from winning contracts with low bids that cannot support compliance with minimum wage.
- Stakeholders have been given until September 30 to submit their views on the review of Standard Tender Documents and Formats.
