Starting a security company in Kenya requires more than registering a business and recruiting guards.

Private security is a regulated industry, meaning an entrepreneur must meet the requirements of the Private Security Regulatory Authority (PSRA) before offering private security services for a fee.

A security company may provide services to homes, offices, businesses, schools, churches, construction sites, warehouses, events and other clients, depending on the services for which it is licensed.

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to start a security company in Kenya, the documents required and the costs an entrepreneur should prepare for.

How much does it cost to start a security company in Kenya?

There is no single fixed amount required to start a security company because the cost depends on the number of guards, location, type of services, equipment, insurance and working capital.

The company registration fee for a private limited company is currently KSh10,650, according to the Business Registration Service (BRS). BRS lists the registration period as three to five days.

However, company registration is only one part of the startup cost.

An entrepreneur should also budget for PSRA licensing, insurance, office space, county permits, guard training, uniforms, equipment, recruitment and salaries.

For a small firm starting with a limited number of guards, a budget of several hundred thousand shillings may be more realistic than relying on the company registration fee alone.

1. Register a company in Kenya

The first step is to legally establish the business.

An entrepreneur can register a private limited company through the Business Registration Service on eCitizen.

The current BRS fee for registering a private limited company is KSh10,650.

The company will receive a Certificate of Incorporation after successful registration.

For someone intending to operate a professional security firm, it is important to distinguish company registration from security licensing.

Registering a company does not by itself authorise the business to provide private security services.

2. Obtain a PSRA licence

The Private Security Regulation Act requires anyone providing or offering private security services for a fee in Kenya to be licensed by the Private Security Regulatory Authority.

The law also provides that a corporate private security provider must be a company incorporated and established in Kenya.

It further requires people performing executive or management functions in the security business to be registered as private security service providers and provides for security vetting.

This means an entrepreneur should treat PSRA licensing as a central part of setting up the business rather than something to pursue after operations have already started.

3. Prepare the required documents

The 2025 Private Security General Regulations set out documents that must accompany an application for registration.

For a corporate private security service provider, these include the company's certificate of incorporation and a valid tax compliance certificate.

The requirements also include police clearance certificates for directors, partners, trustees, administrators and management staff, where applicable.

Applicants are also required to provide passport photographs, security training certificates for relevant directors and management personnel, contact information and other supporting documentation.

4. Have audited accounts or bank statements

Financial documentation is also part of the PSRA application requirements.

The 2025 regulations require a private security firm to submit three years of audited accounts, while individuals are required to provide six months of bank statements.

This is an important consideration for a new entrepreneur because it means the financial requirements should be checked carefully with PSRA before establishing the business model.

A person planning to create a new security firm should confirm with the Authority how the requirement applies to a newly incorporated company without three years of trading history.

5. Get the required insurance

Security companies deal with employees, clients and members of the public, making insurance an important part of the business.

The 2025 regulations require applicants to provide a valid insurance policy, including Work Injury Benefits Act (WIBA) insurance and public liability insurance, as well as any other insurance that may be appropriate depending on the nature and risk profile of the services provided.

The cost will depend on factors such as the number of employees, services offered and level of cover.

6. Train your security personnel

A security company needs properly trained personnel.

The PSRA regulations require private security training certificates for relevant directors, partners, trustees, administrators and management staff.

Companies should also ensure that guards meet the applicable training and registration requirements before deployment.

Training should therefore be included in the startup budget.

7. Buy uniforms and security equipment

Starting a security company also requires investment in equipment.

The PSRA application requirements include a list of security equipment and tools of trade.

Applicants are also required to submit sample uniforms for the different private security ranks, accompanied by photographs.

Depending on the services offered, a company may need uniforms, identification materials, communication equipment, torches, reflective clothing and other appropriate equipment.

The equipment required will vary depending on whether the company provides ordinary guarding services or more specialised security services.

8. Set up an office

A professional security company needs an operational base from which it can manage guards and clients.

The entrepreneur should budget for office rent, deposit, furniture, communication, internet, stationery and other administrative expenses.

The office should also have systems for maintaining employee records, duty rosters, client information and incident reports.

9. Prepare an employment and human resource system

Security firms need proper employee management systems.

The 2025 regulations require a firm's human resource policy to include details of employee duties and salary structures.

Before recruiting guards, an entrepreneur should therefore prepare employment contracts, payroll arrangements, duty schedules and procedures for handling disciplinary and workplace issues.

10. Have enough working capital

One of the biggest financial challenges when starting a security company is working capital.

A new company may secure a contract but still have to pay its guards before receiving payment from the client.

For this reason, an entrepreneur should have enough money to cover salaries, statutory obligations, transport, supervision and other operating expenses while the business builds a stable client base.

This can make the actual amount required to start a security firm significantly higher than the cost of registering the company.

Estimated startup budget

A small entrepreneur can organise the startup budget around the following categories:

Expense| Budget consideration
Company registration| KSh10,650
PSRA licensing| Current applicable PSRA fees
Office| Rent, deposit and utilities
County permit| Depends on county and business classification
Insurance| Depends on employees and coverage
Guard training| Depends on training provider and number of guards
Uniforms| Depends on number of guards
Security equipment| Depends on services offered
Recruitment| Advertising, vetting and administration
Salaries| Major working-capital requirement
Marketing| Website, branding and client acquisition

The exact startup figure should therefore be calculated according to the number of guards and contracts the company intends to handle.

Can you start a security company with KSh100,000?

KSh100,000 may cover some initial administrative expenses, but it would generally be difficult to operate a properly equipped security company at that level once licensing, insurance, training, uniforms, office expenses and employee working capital are taken into account.

An entrepreneur with limited capital may instead consider first developing the business plan, completing the required registration and compliance checks, and securing potential clients before committing to a larger operational structure.

Can you start with five guards?

A small operation can be structured around a limited number of guards, provided the company meets all applicable regulatory requirements.

Starting small can reduce the amount of money required for uniforms, training, equipment and payroll.

However, the entrepreneur must still comply with the applicable PSRA requirements regardless of whether the company has five guards or a much larger workforce.

What services can a security company provide?

Depending on the applicable licence and regulatory requirements, a security business can target clients such as:

- Residential estates
- Private homes
- Offices
- Shops and commercial premises
- Schools
- Churches
- Warehouses
- Construction sites
- Hotels
- Events
- Factories
- Institutions

The company should only provide services that fall within the scope of its regulatory authorisation.

What makes a security company profitable?

Winning contracts is only one part of running the business.

A security company must carefully manage payroll, employee turnover, uniforms, transport, supervision, insurance, statutory obligations and client payments.

Before accepting a contract, the owner should calculate the total cost of deploying guards and compare it with the amount the client is prepared to pay.

A contract that appears large may still be difficult to sustain if the company's operating costs are too high.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to register a security company in Kenya?

The current BRS fee for registering a private limited company is KSh10,650. However, this is only the company registration cost and does not include PSRA licensing, insurance, training, equipment, office expenses or working capital.

Do I need a PSRA licence to operate a security company?

Yes. Kenyan law requires a person offering private security services for a fee to be licensed by the Private Security Regulatory Authority.

Can I register a security company without guards?

You can establish the company, but you must meet the applicable regulatory requirements before providing private security services to clients.

What documents are required for a PSRA application?

The requirements include company registration documents, tax compliance documentation, police clearance certificates for relevant directors and management personnel, training certificates, insurance documentation, photographs, equipment information, uniforms and other supporting documents.

Is insurance required for a security company?

Yes. The 2025 regulations specifically require insurance including WIBA and public liability insurance, alongside other appropriate cover depending on the company's security services and risk profile.

How much capital do I need to start a security firm?

There is no single amount applicable to every company. A realistic budget must account for regulatory costs, insurance, office expenses, training, uniforms, equipment and several months of working capital.

Final word

Starting a security company in Kenya can involve significantly more investment than simply registering a business.

The entrepreneur needs to consider company registration, PSRA licensing, personnel training, insurance, equipment, uniforms, office operations and working capital before taking on clients.

The safest approach is to establish the business legally, confirm the latest PSRA requirements and fees, and build a financial plan around the number of guards and contracts the company intends to handle.

Note: PSRA requirements and fees can change. Prospective security providers should confirm the latest requirements directly with the Authority before making payments or commencing operations.