How to become a security guard in Kenya

Security is one of the largest employers in Kenya. Guarding firms, banks, hospitals, schools, malls, estates, NGOs and factories all need security staff, every day and every night. This guide explains how to get your first security job and how to build a career from it.

What do you need to become a security guard?

• Your national ID card.
• A valid certificate of good conduct from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations. Almost every firm asks for one.
• Your school certificates. Many firms ask for at least a KCSE certificate.
• Basic security training, from the firm itself or a training institution.
• Registration with the Private Security Regulatory Authority. Read our guide to PSRA registration and your Guard Force Number.
• Good health and fitness, because the work involves standing, patrolling and night shifts.

What does security training cover?

Basic courses usually cover patrolling and access control, writing incident reports and keeping an occurrence book, handling visitors and vehicles, fire safety, first aid and what to do in an emergency. Keep every certificate: employers ask for them, and they help you move up.

What kinds of security jobs are there?

• Static guard: protecting one site, such as an estate, office, school or shop.
• Patrol and response: moving between sites and responding to alarms.
• Access control: checking people and vehicles in and out of offices, hospitals and malls.
• Bank and cash-in-transit: higher vetting, and often better pay.
• Event security and stewarding.
• Supervisor: leading a team of guards across shifts or sites.

How do you choose a good employer?

Ask before you accept: what is the pay, how many hours is each shift, how many days off do you get, are statutory deductions paid, and is the uniform free? A firm registered with the PSRA, that pays on time and gives a written contract, is worth more than a slightly higher figure from a firm that does not. Our guide to employment contracts in Kenya lists what your contract should include, and you can check your take-home pay with the pay calculator.

How do you move up to security supervisor?

Supervisors are usually promoted from experienced guards who are reliable, write good reports and handle incidents calmly. Take extra training in first aid, fire safety and supervision, keep a clean disciplinary record, and tell your employer you want to lead a team. Browse security supervisor jobs to see what employers ask for.

Where do you find security jobs?

Monica collects security vacancies from across Kenya every day. Browse security jobs in Kenya, make your CV with our guide to writing a security guard CV, and create a free account to get new jobs every morning.