Hiring from PSRA licensed security companies is one of the simplest ways to protect yourself from poor or illegal security services in Kenya. Yet many homeowners and businesses never check. They assume that uniforms, a logo and a phone number mean a company is properly registered.

This guide explains what the Private Security Regulatory Authority (PSRA) is, why licensing matters to you as a client, and how to check whether a security company is registered before you sign anything.

What is the PSRA?

The Private Security Regulatory Authority is the government body that regulates the private security industry in Kenya. It was established under the Private Security Regulation Act, 2016. Its role includes registering private security companies, registering and overseeing private security officers, setting standards for the industry and taking action against those who break the rules.

In simple terms, the PSRA is the body that decides who is allowed to sell security services in Kenya, and on what terms. You can find its official information at psra.go.ke.

Why licensing matters to you

Choosing among PSRA licensed security companies protects you in several ways:

Using an unregistered provider saves nothing in the long run. It removes the very safeguards that make private security trustworthy.

How to check a security company’s registration

Follow these steps before signing any contract.

Step 1: Ask for proof of registration

Ask the company directly for its PSRA registration details and a copy of its certificate. A professional provider will share this immediately. Hesitation, excuses or promises to “send it later” are warning signs.

Step 2: Check the details match

Make sure the name on the certificate matches the name on the contract, the invoice and the company’s official documents. A certificate belonging to a different or related company does not cover the business you are hiring.

Step 3: Check with the Authority

The PSRA has published lists of registered private security companies in the past, and its official channels are the most reliable source. Check the company against the latest official information available on the PSRA website or contact the Authority directly to confirm registration.

Step 4: Check that registration is current

Registration can lapse or be withdrawn. Look at dates on the documents and confirm that the registration is current, not just that it existed at some point.

Step 5: Ask about guard registration

The Act also covers individual private security officers. Ask the company how it ensures that the guards deployed to your site meet the registration and training requirements that apply to them.

Questions to ask about compliance

Along with the licence itself, ask these questions to understand how seriously a company takes regulation:

1. What is your PSRA registration number, and can I see the certificate?
2. Is the registered company the same one that will sign my contract?
3. How do you make sure your guards meet registration and training requirements?
4. Do you pay guards at least the legal minimum wage?
5. How do you handle guard misconduct, and do you report serious cases?

Good answers show a company that treats compliance as part of its service, not a box to tick.

Red flags when checking a licence

• The company cannot or will not show a certificate
• The name on the certificate differs from the company name on the contract
• The documents look altered, blurry or out of date
• The company claims licensing is “not necessary” for its type of service
• The company says it is “in the process” of registering but has been operating for years

If you see any of these, move on. There are many PSRA licensed security companies that will be happy to show you their documents. For more warning signs, read our post on the red flags of a bad security company.

Licensing is necessary, but not enough

A licence tells you that a company is allowed to operate. It does not tell you that its guards are well supervised, that its relief cover works or that its prices are fair. Use licensing as your first filter, then compare companies on the other factors that matter:

What if your current provider is not licensed?

If you discover that your current security company cannot prove its registration:

1. Ask for proof in writing, with a short deadline.
2. If none arrives, review your contract’s termination terms.
3. Line up a registered replacement before giving notice, so there is no gap in cover.
4. Plan the handover carefully. Our guide to changing security company without a gap explains how.

For estates, businesses and institutions

Estate committees, procurement teams and school boards have a duty to members, shareholders or parents to choose properly. Make PSRA registration a mandatory requirement in any tender or request for quotation, and ask bidders to attach proof. Keep a copy on file and check it again at renewal.

Our commitment at Bestcare Security

We believe clients should always know exactly who they are hiring. When you call us, ask for our registration details and we will share them. We are also happy to explain how our manned guarding services meet the standards expected of PSRA licensed security companies, from vetting and training to supervision and fair pay.

Keeping records of your checks

For businesses, estates and institutions, it is good practice to keep a simple file showing that you checked your security provider properly. Include a copy of the registration certificate, the date you checked it, notes from any call to the Authority, and the date of the next check, usually at contract renewal. If there is ever an incident, an audit or a dispute, this file shows that you acted responsibly when choosing among PSRA licensed security companies. Households do not need anything formal, but keeping a photo of the certificate on your phone is still a sensible habit.

Why unlicensed operators still find customers

If licensing matters so much, why do unregistered operators still win business? Usually because they are cheaper, easier to reach through word of mouth, and willing to start the same day. A neighbour recommends “a guy who provides watchmen”, the price is attractive, and nobody asks about registration.

The problem appears later. When a guard fails to turn up, there is no relief. When something goes missing, there is no investigation and no insurance. When a dispute arises over pay, the client can find themselves caught in the middle. And because the operator is outside the regulated system, there is nowhere formal to complain.

Choosing among PSRA licensed security companies costs a little more at the start, but it keeps you inside a system built to protect clients. It also sends a clear signal to the market that registration matters.

A simple verification checklist

Print or save this list and tick it off before signing:

• [ ] I have seen the company’s registration certificate
• [ ] The company name on the certificate matches the contract and invoices
• [ ] The registration is current
• [ ] I have checked the details against official PSRA information
• [ ] The company has explained how its guards meet registration and training requirements
• [ ] The company has confirmed in writing that guards are paid at least the legal minimum wage
• [ ] I have a copy of the certificate on file

Frequently asked questions

What does PSRA stand for?

PSRA stands for the Private Security Regulatory Authority, the body that regulates private security in Kenya under the Private Security Regulation Act, 2016.

Do all security companies in Kenya need to be registered?

Private security service providers are required to be registered under the Act. Always check registration before hiring.

How can I confirm a company is on the PSRA register?

Ask the company for its certificate, check that the details match, and confirm with the Authority’s official website or offices.

Is a licensed security company always a good one?

Licensing is an essential first check, but you should also compare vetting, training, supervision, pricing and contract terms.

What should I do if my security company is not registered?

Ask for proof in writing, and if none is provided, plan a move to a registered provider without leaving a gap in cover.

Does a PSRA licence cover CCTV and alarm work too?

Ask the company which services its registration covers and how it handles technology work such as CCTV and alarm installation. A professional provider will explain clearly what it is registered to offer.

Can I ask Bestcare Security for its registration details?

Yes. Call 0709 004 600 and we will share them and answer any questions.

Related reading

• How to Choose a Security Company in Kenya: A 12-Point Checklist
• 15 Questions to Ask Before Signing a Security Contract in Kenya
• 12 Red Flags of a Bad Security Company (and What to Do About Them)

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