The Private Security Regulatory Authority has ordered all security firms to immediately stop remmiting union contributions to the Central Organization of Trade Unions, Cotu.
In a letter dated April 15, PSRA Director General Fazul Mahamed said investigations have been launched on the collection and use of the finances following complaints from private security officers.
Mahamed said Section 10 (b) of the Private Security Regulations Act mandates the PSRA to conduct or cause to be conducted investigations and inquiries with regard to any matter falling within the scope of its function.
"Pending conclusion of the investigation, all private security companies are hereby directed to effectively immediately stop deducting and remitting private security officers’ trade union fees to the Cotu," the letter reads in part.
Mahamed said the order shall remain in force until such a time the Authority expressly directs otherwise.
The directive was copied to all directors of private security firms, CEOs and shareholders of private security firms and the guards.
Mahamed issued a warning to firms found going against the directive.
"Any private security company that continues to deduct and remit the said fees to the Cotu-Kenya shall be subjected to a statutory review of its registration and licensing status," he warned.
PSRA said investigations are aimed at establishing how Sh1.3 million of guards' remittances to Cotu had been utilised.
Private security companies deduct trade union fees from private security guards and remit the monies to Cotu.
Mahamed, however, said Cotu had neglected advocating for their rights particularly on enforcing compliance on minimum wage and promoting the general welfare of guards.
"As outlined in Cotu's constitutive document, part of the organization's core mandate is to represent the voices of workers and actively fight for their social and economic welfare," he said.
According to PSRA, private security officers constitute a large percentage of Cotu’s membership and despite their low salaries, have faithfully contributed trade union fees to Cotu for decades.
