KENYA NATIONAL PRIVATE SECURITY WORKERS UNION - Sauti ya Walinzi

Tel: + 254 722 976 774

Call Our Hotline

info@knpswunion.org

P.O Box 102549-00100, Nairobi

Hurlingham Shopping Centre,

Off Argwings Kodhek Rd

About KNPSWU

Background History ...

The Kenya National Private Security Workers Union (KNPSWU)

The Union for Security Guards began with formation of “NIGHT WATCHMEN” under the leadership of the late Hon. Sammy Muhanji in 1960s. He was inspired by the suffering of Night Guards sufferings in the hands of Colonial businessmen in Nairobi.

KNPSWU  mission is to transform and empower Private Security Guards through ardent championing for their rights, freedoms, privileges, welfare and social economic well-being , through engagement, negotiation, co-operation and Collective Bargaining Agreements.

The late Muhanji the then General Secretary for NIGHT WATCHMEN become the KUCFAW leader after merging Night Watchmen Distributive and Commercial Workers led by Mr. Joseph Seme, Brewing and Commercial Bottling Workers led by Mr. John William Ouko, Tobacco Workers Union led by Moses Kabera,Laundry and Dry Cleaning Workers Union led by Samson Maenga.

In 1980s Mr. Muhanji quit Trade Unionism  and joined politics becoming MP for Emuhaya, massive redundancies in 1980s, resulted in the exit of Bankers, Shops, Textiles, Breweries  among others citing in effective representation thus reducing revenue base.

Kenya National Private Security Workers Union

The Registrar of Trade Unions gave the Union an interim Certificate No. 2006 as it had captioned over 56% of members representation from the Guards.  In 2007, a deepening crisis in the guards sector persisted, calling for the intervention of COTU (K), the umbrella body. COTU (K) agitated for a Single Union in the sector.  In July 2007 the sitting General Secretary of KEGAWU (Late. Njirimani) issued a delegate conference Notice after a week’ for consultations and mediation with both UDIPAS interim office and KEGAWU .The following resolutions were made during the Delegates Conference: 

  • Dissolve the unregistered UDIPAS Union 
  • Change KEGAWU( Registered  Union ) to KNPSWU 
  • Amend the Constitution to accommodate both parties 
  • Change office Bearers 

The merger of KEGAWU and UDIPAS led to the formation of KNPSWU. On 26th July 2007 the Minister gazetted the change of Name and Kenya National Private Security Workers Union (KNPSWU) was born with the Sole mandate of representing the matters of Private Security Workers in the Republic of Kenya. From the Onset KNPSWU had a myriad of challenges right away from Leadership to many, structural settings, Industrial cases in the Courts of Law and 20 cases by non members, opposed to the change and ownership of the Union by the Guards. At the High Court the Union had over 15 cases. KNPSWU under the leadership of Bro. Isaac Andabwa fought tirelessly inspite of resistance in re-structuring the Union’s Leadership, roles, mandate and scope. To date KNPSWU is a vibrant Union with a potential membership of over 350,000 in Kenya.

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