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The UNI affiliate, KNPSWU, organises march on Parliament and cavalcade in Nairobi.

The Kenyan National Private Security Workers Union organised a cavalcade of dozens of motor bikes, pick up trucks, jeeps, a lorry trailer and even a fire engine through Nairobi today. The vehicles then joined with marchers who protested through Nairobi and outside parliament. The protest was organised to call for the Government to approve a draft  `Private Security Regulation Bill` that will establish minimum standards for security companies. it has the backing of a majority of the security companies in Kenya who want to see the end of the race to the bottom in terms of prices on contracts. Security Workers are in a more desperate position and want the backing of the bill in their campaign to improve terms and conditions. guards in Kenya suffer from a litany of low wages, long hours, poor training, bad equipment and a lack of health care provision.

The cavalcade set off through the townships and informal settlements of Nairobi where most of the guards live, in particular the massive township of Kibera which is officially the largest urban slum area in Africa, with most of its residents having little access to electricity or water. It is however an incredibly lively place and the cavalcade, especially the music, was well received and welcomed. The union certainly raised its profile with nearly 2 hours spent there, bikes and jeeps moving in and out of crowds and goats. 

The protest moved into the business areas and eventually the town centre  where working security guards took application forms and waved at the protestors to show their support..

The cavalcade moved onto Parliament but was refused access to the building. It was then joined by marchers made up of hundreds of security guards in uniform carrying banners saying `Guarding Wealth, Living in Poverty`.  It then  went through the busy streets of Nairobi centre bringing traffic to even more of a chaotic state than normal - which in Nairobi is some achievement.

The union has been organising workers in the Security sector in partnership with UNI Property Services since July this year and has recruited an extra 5,505 members in G4S since then - a fantastic achievement. Overall it has achieved growth of approximately 10,000 new members this year and now has a total membership of 24,000. by using its shop stewards network in an organising plan its rate of growth is impressive and looks set to continue after its leading efforts in getting the Private Bill passed through Parliament. Politicans are now expected to endorse the Bill in the New Year - a real success for the union.