President William Ruto has ordered all government institutions to stop referring to private security personnel as "watchmen" or "guards," declaring that the colonial-era titles no longer reflect the professionalism, responsibility and dignity of more than one million Kenyans working in the industry.
Speaking on Thursday during a meeting with more than 5,000 private security officers at State House, Nairobi, the President announced that the government will amend key labour and security laws to formally recognise them as "private security officers." He said the move is part of wider reforms aimed at professionalising the sector, improving working conditions and creating clear opportunities for career growth.
The planned changes will be made through amendments to the Private Security Regulatory Authority Act, the General Wages Order and the Private Security Wages Order, ensuring that official documents and labour regulations adopt the new title.
"I am instructing all government agencies to stop referring to private security officers as watchmen or guards," Ruto said.
He said the term "watchman" is a colonial label that has no place in modern Kenya because it fails to recognise the important role played by private security personnel.
"We agreed that work is work. Your work is work, and because of that, the word 'watchman' was a colonial term of disrespect," he said.
Private Security Guards in a meeting with President William Ruto at State House on August 6, 2026. PHOTO/PCS
According to the President, changing the law will ensure the profession receives the recognition and respect it deserves across both the public and private sectors.
"The Private Security Regulatory Authority Act, the General Wages Order and the Private Security Wages Order will be amended. Your titles will be changed so that they become titles with dignity as private security officers," he said.
Ruto said the reforms are not only about changing job titles but also about creating a structured system that allows officers to grow within the profession based on their performance and experience.
"We have agreed that this is work like any other. If you perform your duties well, you should progress. The private security sector will have a progression path," he said.
He said the government is committed to transforming the industry through stronger regulation, better training, accreditation of training institutions, enforcement of labour standards and strict compliance with the law.
"Every private security officer deserves lawful remuneration, fair treatment, decent working conditions, social protection, quality training and opportunities for career progression," he said.
The President also challenged private security companies to invest more in their employees by observing labour laws, improving welfare and equipping officers with the skills needed to respond to changing security threats.
He said the industry must prepare its workforce to deal with challenges such as terrorism, cybercrime and organised criminal networks through better training and the adoption of modern technology.
Private Security Guards in a meeting with President William Ruto at State House on August 6, 2026. PHOTO/PCS.
The announcement followed an appeal from one of the private security officers who addressed the President during the meeting, asking the government to officially replace the title "watchman" with "private security officer."
The officer argued that the current title lowers the status of those working in the sector despite the important role they play in protecting lives and property. He also appealed for better pay and greater respect from employers.