In a historic policy directive aimed at reshaping labor relations and restoring professional dignity, President William Ruto has ordered all government agencies to expunge the terms "watchman" and "guard" from existing laws, statutory instruments, and official state communications.
Speaking at State House, Nairobi, during a landmark gathering of private security personnel, President Ruto declared that the titles—long embedded in Kenyan labor vocabulary—are colonial relics that diminish the value of a sector vital to national security.
Going forward, all personnel working within the private security sector will officially be designated as Private Security Officers across all legal frameworks.
“Colonial Respect Deficit” Ended
The announcement followed an emotional appeal from a security officer representing the attendees, who asked the Head of State to officially change the nomenclature used in regulatory documents.
Addressing an estimated 27,000 officers—the largest delegation ever hosted on the State House grounds—President Ruto agreed that the terminology carried long-standing societal stigma.
"Majina kama watchmen, majina kama guards, nimekubali haya majina yanawakosea heshima...
We agreed that work is work, and yours is work. 'Watchman' was disrespectful and came
from colonial rule. You are no longer watchmen; you are private security officers.
The laws will be changed," President Ruto said.
The President highlighted that private security personnel are often the first to wake and the last to rest, safeguarding homes, schools, financial institutions, and commercial hubs.
He stressed that degrading terminology undermines the morale of over 1.3 million Kenyans who form the backbone of the nation's auxiliary security infrastructure.
Career Progression and Minimum Wage Compliance
Beyond title changes, President Ruto addressed systemic labor issues affecting the sector.
He announced plans to introduce a structured career progression pathway, ensuring that individuals entering the private security sector have clear opportunities for professional advancement and skill certification.
The Head of State also reiterated the government's stance on wage compliance, warning private security companies against underpaying personnel or failing to remit mandatory statutory deductions for the Social Health Authority (SHA) and National Social Security Fund (NSSF).
"You are not workers on the periphery of our economy," Ruto told the gathering."You are indispensable members of our society and essential partners in Kenya's national security infrastructure."
The legal reviews will be submitted to Cabinet and Parliament for fast-tracked processing to ensure the statutory transition is finalized.
