Kenyan Lawmakers Weigh Plan to Replace Private Security with NYS Graduates to Slash Public Spending

A new proposal in Kenya aims to replace private guards with NYS graduates to cut costs, sparking a standoff with an industry employing 1.5 million people.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 27, 2026, 11:28 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from TUKO.co.ke

National Assembly Debates Cost-Cutting Security Shift

A proposal currently before the National Assembly seeks to overhaul how government ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) manage their security needs. Sponsored by Kilifi Woman Representative Gertrude Mbeyu, the motion advocates for a policy framework that prioritizes National Youth Service (NYS) graduates over private security firms. Supporters argue that the government currently spends billions of shillings annually on private contracts—expenditure that could be significantly reduced by deploying state-trained youth who are already skilled in security awareness, public service, and emergency response.

Fiscal Impact and Current Spending

The government’s reliance on private security has become a major line item in the national budget. Every financial year, over 40,000 public schools, various state corporations, and county offices float tenders for these services. Reports indicate that some state entities allocate upwards of 100 million KSh each for security, with the top six spenders alone accounting for a combined 513 million KSh. The motion suggests that redirecting these funds toward NYS graduates would not only save money but also provide meaningful employment to a demographic currently facing high unemployment rates.

Industry Pushback and Existential Threats

The private security sector has reacted with alarm, describing the proposal as an existential threat. Cosmas Mutava, chairman of the Protective Security Industry Association (PSIA), argues that the NYS lacks the decentralized logistical capacity to handle stations scattered across remote areas. He noted that private firms employ personnel who live within the communities they serve, a model that NYS might struggle to replicate. Furthermore, industry leaders warn that nearly half of the estimated 1.5 million private security guards in Kenya are currently stationed at government-linked institutions.