Security and facilities services
Buildings, estates, events and businesses need protection, cleaning, maintenance and management. These services offer employment and business opportunities, often through contracts with institutions.
What these methods share
- Licensing: private security providers are regulated by the Private Security Regulatory Authority (PSRA); other services need county permits.
- Labour law: fair wages, contracts and safety for workers.
- Reliability: contracts depend on consistent service.
651. Private security guard (employment)
What it is: Working as a licensed security guard. How it works: Employed by registered security firms after training.
| Skills | Security training, vigilance, integrity |
| Cost & equipment | Uniform provided by employer |
| Where to find work | Registered security companies |
| Payment | Monthly wages |
| Realistic earnings | Low |
| Time to first income | Weeks |
How to start: Join PSRA-registered firms; complete required training. Pros: Employment entry point. Cons & risks: Long shifts; risks. Scam warning: Fake security jobs abroad charging fees. Kenya notes: PSRA sets standards and registration for guards.
652. Security company (licensed)
What it is: Running a private security business. How it works: Licensing → recruiting guards → contracts.
| Skills | Security management, business |
| Cost & equipment | Licences, staff, uniforms |
| Where to find work | Estates, businesses, schools |
| Payment | Monthly contracts |
| Realistic earnings | Medium to high |
| Time to first income | Months |
How to start: Meet PSRA licensing requirements. Pros: Recurring contracts. Cons & risks: Liability; labour costs. Scam warning: Pay guards fairly and legally. Kenya notes: Minimum wage rules apply to guards.
653. Event security and crowd management
What it is: Providing security for events. How it works: Event contracts with trained teams.
| Skills | Crowd management |
| Cost & equipment | Team, licences |
| Where to find work | Event organisers |
| Payment | Per event |
| Realistic earnings | Low to medium |
| Time to first income | Weeks |
How to start: Partner with event planners. Pros: Event demand. Cons & risks: Risk management. Scam warning: As above. Kenya notes: Licensed providers required.
654. Alarm response and monitoring centre
What it is: Monitoring alarms/CCTV and dispatching response teams. How it works: Subscriptions; response vehicles.
| Skills | Security operations |
| Cost & equipment | Monitoring systems, vehicles |
| Where to find work | Homes, businesses |
| Payment | Monthly fees |
| Realistic earnings | Medium |
| Time to first income | Months |
How to start: Combine with CCTV installation business. Pros: Recurring revenue. Cons & risks: 24/7 operations. Scam warning: As above. Kenya notes: Licensing required.
655. Commercial cleaning company
What it is: Cleaning offices, institutions and buildings under contract. How it works: Contracts → staff → supervision.
| Skills | Management, cleaning standards |
| Cost & equipment | Equipment, staff |
| Where to find work | Offices, hospitals, schools |
| Payment | Monthly contracts |
| Realistic earnings | Medium |
| Time to first income | Months |
How to start: Win small office contracts first. Pros: Recurring contracts. Cons & risks: Staff management. Scam warning: Never pay bribes for contracts. Kenya notes: Government tenders exist for cleaning services.
656. Facility management services
What it is: Managing building operations (maintenance, cleaning, security coordination). How it works: Management contracts.
| Skills | Facility management |
| Cost & equipment | Team |
| Where to find work | Commercial buildings, estates |
| Payment | Contracts |
| Realistic earnings | Medium to high |
| Time to first income | Months |
How to start: Gain experience; build a team of trusted contractors. Pros: Large contracts. Cons & risks: Responsibility. Scam warning: As above. Kenya notes: Growing commercial buildings need FM services.
657. Exhauster and sanitation services
What it is: Emptying septic tanks and pit latrines. How it works: Exhauster trucks; licensed disposal.
| Skills | Operations |
| Cost & equipment | Exhauster truck, licences |
| Where to find work | Homes, institutions |
| Payment | Per trip |
| Realistic earnings | Medium |
| Time to first income | Weeks |
How to start: Get county and environmental licences. Pros: Essential service. Cons & risks: Capital; health safety. Scam warning: Illegal dumping is prohibited. Kenya notes: NEMA and county rules apply.
658. Fire safety equipment servicing
What it is: Supplying and servicing fire extinguishers and alarms. How it works: Inspections, refills, certification.
| Skills | Fire safety training |
| Cost & equipment | Equipment, certification |
| Where to find work | Businesses, schools, hotels |
| Payment | Service fees |
| Realistic earnings | Low to medium |
| Time to first income | Weeks |
How to start: Get certified. Pros: Required by law for many premises. Cons & risks: Liability. Scam warning: Never certify faulty equipment. Kenya notes: Fire safety regulations require inspections.
659. Office plants and interior landscaping
What it is: Supplying and maintaining office plants. How it works: Rental or sales with maintenance.
| Skills | Plant care |
| Cost & equipment | Plants, pots |
| Where to find work | Offices, hotels |
| Payment | Monthly |
| Realistic earnings | Low to medium |
| Time to first income | Weeks |
How to start: Pitch to offices. Pros: Recurring. Cons & risks: Plant losses. Scam warning: As above. Kenya notes: Growing office demand.
660. Parking management services
What it is: Managing parking lots for buildings, events and businesses. How it works: Contracts, attendants, payment systems.
| Skills | Operations |
| Cost & equipment | Payment systems |
| Where to find work | Malls, events, buildings |
| Payment | Contracts/fees |
| Realistic earnings | Low to medium |
| Time to first income | Weeks |
How to start: Event parking contracts. Pros: Cash flow. Cons & risks: Cash handling. Scam warning: As above. Kenya notes: Digital payments reduce leakage.
661. Janitorial and hygiene supplies distribution
What it is: Supplying cleaning and hygiene products to institutions. How it works: Bulk supply contracts.
| Skills | Sales, logistics |
| Cost & equipment | Stock |
| Where to find work | Offices, schools, hospitals |
| Payment | Contracts |
| Realistic earnings | Medium |
| Time to first income | Weeks |
How to start: Register as a supplier. Pros: Recurring orders. Cons & risks: Payment delays. Scam warning: As above. Kenya notes: Public procurement rules apply.
662. Caretaker and estate management
What it is: Managing estates and apartment blocks day to day. How it works: Employment or management contracts.
| Skills | Organisation, tenant relations |
| Cost & equipment | Phone |
| Where to find work | Landlords, management companies |
| Payment | Salary/fees |
| Realistic earnings | Low |
| Time to first income | Weeks |
How to start: Build references. Pros: Stable. Cons & risks: Tenant issues. Scam warning: Keep transparent records. Kenya notes: Diaspora landlords need trustworthy caretakers.
663. CCTV monitoring for estates
What it is: Remote monitoring of estate cameras. How it works: Subscription monitoring.
| Skills | Monitoring, reporting |
| Cost & equipment | Monitoring systems |
| Where to find work | Estates, businesses |
| Payment | Monthly |
| Realistic earnings | Low to medium |
| Time to first income | Weeks |
How to start: Combine with installation services. Pros: Recurring. Cons & risks: Privacy rules. Scam warning: Follow data protection rules. Kenya notes: Display CCTV notices.
Summary
- Security and facilities methods include guard work, security companies, event security, alarm response, cleaning companies, facility management, sanitation, fire safety, office plants, parking, supplies, caretaking and CCTV monitoring.
- Licensing (PSRA, county, NEMA), fair labour practices and reliability drive success.
Check yourself
Which authority regulates private security providers? (abbreviation)
Show answer
PSRA
Should faulty fire extinguishers be certified as safe? (yes or no)
Show answer
no
Is illegal dumping of septic waste allowed? (yes or no)
Show answer
no