Eyes on Atwoli as Gov't Initiates 3-Year Audit Probe Over Security Guards' Salary Deductions

 In a statement released on Tuesday, April 13, PSRA, led by Fazul Mahamed, stated that the auditors would examine how salary deductions from private security officers had been utilized.The government is emphasizing accountability, with the audit covering the past three years.

The agency estimates that private security officers have been paying between Ksh300 to Ksh600 monthly to the trade union led by veteran unionist Francis Atwoli.

"We've dispatched auditors to conduct a detailed audit and look into the collection and use of all funds deducted from private security officers and sent to COTU by private security companies over the past 3 years.

"This is a crucial step in preventing the exploitation of security guards and safeguarding the welfare and rights of over 1.3 million private security officers in Kenya. We've also instructed all private security firms to halt COTU deductions and provide financial records of security guards' union fee deductions and payments made to COTU over the past three years," the statement read.

Significantly, this action comes shortly after the agency directed private security companies to cease remitting deductions to the Atwoli-led body.

This move prompted Atwoli to criticize the decision and accuse Mahamed of breaking the law.

Atwoli emphasized that PSRA had no authority over the trade union and stated that the salary deductions made by security officers were legally mandated.