Fifty six former employees of KK Security Company who were deployed to protect U.S. properties in Rwanda have dragged the company to court over delayed arrears. The guards left KK security in 2006 after the embassy requested that security to the properties be provided by a firm that isn’t involved in security commitments elsewhere, a clause that ruled out KK as it provides security to several clients in the country. The cancellation of the contract spelt doom for KK while the guards saw an opportunity as they moved quickly to set up Armor Group. The guards then totaling 131, left KK to form a rival firm (Armor Group) which was later contracted to guard the embassy properties. The Ministry of Public Service and Labour asked KK security to pay the guards the outstanding salaries and their terminal benefits a ruling to which KK has dragged its feet. According to documents seen by The New Times, KK security promised to pay all the guards, but it has now been three years and some guards have not been paid. A former employee who requested not to be named said they were supposed to be compensated because their contracts had been terminated prematurely. “The company promised to pay us but it is now three years. This is unfair,” the former KK security guard complained. The guard said they resorted to go to court as their last alternative. A source in Gasabo Court said the hearing of the guards’ case has been postponed eleven times. “Some guards feel frustrated and want to give up yet it’s a credible case,” the source said last Friday. When contacted, Max Uwiragiye, the manager of KK Security Human Resources department confirmed last week that the company had failed to pay in time because the guards were demanding too much money. “We decided to go to court so that it can determine how much we should pay them,” Uwiragiye said on phone last Thursday. He said once the court decides, the company will abide by the ruling. He said the company failed to calculate how much should be paid for overtime hours. KK Security is one of the fastest growing Security Companies in Africa. Over the last decade, it has expanded geographically from its base in Kenya to become a regional force in seven countries. It currently has operations in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, DRC, Burundi and Southern Sudan.According to the company’s mission statement, KK Security (Rwanda) SARL started operations in Kigali in 1994. It is the largest Security provider in Rwanda with offices throughout the country. Customers include the British Embassy, Bralirwa and several UN Agencies. Services provided by the security firm include; Manned guarding, Alarm systems and Dog handlers. Ends
