Nearly a decade after first buying into KK Security, Canadian multinational security solutions provider GardaWorld recently rebranded its Kenya operations, marking the end of a long transition period and the beginning of a clearer growth strategy in East Africa.
- •The rebrand had been delayed by a hectic post-acquisition integration, market readiness, and the disruptive impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- •However, GardaWorld’s Country Director—Rishi Ahluwalia—said the timing this year was right for consolidating operations and expanding service offerings under a single global banner.
- •A recent court ruling reaffirmed a directive from the Private Security Regulatory Authority (PSRA) mandating a minimum wage of Ksh 30,000 for security guards—an outcome that has forced firms across the country to re-evaluate their labor strategies.
“The reality is that the priority is, again, our operations and our clients. And now that we’re at the point where I think GardaWorld really wants to reaffirm its commitment and its confidence in the Kenyan market and in the Kenyan business, and we were able to say, now’s the time. Let’s do it,” Ahluwalia told The Kenyan Wall Street in an interview.
The international firm gained sole control of KK Security’s parent company in January, before rolling out the rebrand in early April. The company had been trudging through a maze of financial troubles, forcing restructuring efforts including reducing staff numbers.
“Whilst we have had to make those tough decisions in the past, the effort now is growth, new capability, new service lines, and the chance to grow our team,” Ahluwalia added.
Ahluwalia is hopeful that the rebrand under the company’s global banner will create more opportunities and reconfigure their set-up in the market.
Kenya’s private security sector is undergoing a regulatory and financial transformation, in addition to heated competition.
The Minimum Wage Question, and New Frontiers
A recent court ruling reaffirmed a directive from the Private Security Regulatory Authority (PSRA) mandating a minimum wage of Ksh 30,000 for security guards—an outcome that has forced firms across the country to re-evaluate their labor strategies. GardaWorld says it is already in compliance with the new wage regulations.
“We comply with the employment laws of Kenya and continue to engage closely with the regulator to ensure that we comply with their direction as well,” Ahluwalia says.
He also says that salaries vary depending on the region but affirms that its guards are paid at or above the legal minimum, with full entitlements for overtime, housing, and other benefits. The ruling, though controversial among some industry players, has been welcomed by firms that see compliance as a long-term competitive advantage.
“Regulation levels the playing field and ensures that firms who do pay their teams fairly and justly are not disadvantaged when it comes to competing in the marketplace,” the director said.
GardaWorld Kenya is also betting on diversification of its services to survive the economic turbulence. In addition to traditional guarding and alarm systems, the firm is actively growing its presence in facilities management, catering, and even mobile roadside assistance.
A mobile app-based roadside response service is set to launch in the coming months, building on existing pilots run with corporate clients. Meanwhile, the company’s facilities and hospitality services are already being rolled out at several locations.
“And the reason why that’s beneficial to our clients is that there’s one person to pick up the phone to. There’s one hotline to call, and your infrastructure protection, your security, the response when something goes wrong, the advisory in the aftermath of an incident. Basically, your people, your processes, and your property can all be safeguarded or enhanced through one company, one organization, and one phone number,” Ahluwalia says.
GardaWorld’s client base—currently over 7,000 strong—is drawn from every major sector of the Kenyan economy, spanning alarm, tracking, fire response, and guarding services. The company is also capitalizing on its global standards to distinguish itself in an increasingly crowded market of more than 250 licensed private security providers.
“What sets us apart is our global capability and standards, combined with deep local knowledge. Our clients have one number to call, one point of accountability—whether it’s for security, response, advisory, or facility support,” the Director said.
Security threats remain dynamic but the company has identified three major trends shaping its strategy: everyday crime, civil unrest, and climate change. The firm’s national security operations center allows real-time coordination during protests or political disruptions, helping clients to re-route drivers and maintain continuity.
“We’ve continued operations during civil unrest by using our teams on the ground to feed intelligence to our national controllers, who guide drivers safely,” said the director.
Climate change is also on the radar. During last year’s heavy rains, GardaWorld deployed fire trucks for flood response, pumping water out of flooded facilities.
With the rebrand now official, GardaWorld Kenya is framing itself not just as a private security firm, but as a full-spectrum service provider equipped for a volatile, high-risk operating environment.