Wells Fargo Kenya has announced a recruitment drive for 20 female security guards, scheduled for Saturday, November 22, 2025, in Kisumu. The initiative specifically targets Form Four leavers with a minimum KCSE grade of D+, providing a crucial employment opportunity in a county grappling with the national youth unemployment crisis. The walk-in recruitment will take place at the Fargo Kisumu facility, located at Ndugu Transport Godown in Mamboleo, along the Kisumu-Muhoroni Road.

The announcement, made via the company's social media channels, specifies that applicants must be physically fit and demonstrate high integrity. This recruitment drive is significant as it provides a pathway to formal employment for young women who may not have attained the grades for higher education, a demographic often vulnerable to precarious informal work.

Context: Youth Unemployment and the Security Sector

This hiring initiative unfolds against the backdrop of a severe youth unemployment challenge in Kenya. According to the Federation of Kenya Employers (FKE), while the overall national unemployment rate stands at 12.7 percent, the rate for youth aged 15-34 is a staggering 67 percent. This demographic constitutes 35 percent of the Kenyan population, with over a million young people entering the job market annually, many lacking specialized skills. Initiatives like Wells Fargo's, therefore, represent a small but significant step in absorbing this burgeoning workforce.

The private security industry in Kenya is one of the fastest-growing sectors of the economy, driven by high demand for security services. The sector is a major employer, though estimates of its size vary, with some reports suggesting it employs nearly 50,000 people. However, the industry has faced challenges regarding regulation, training standards, and wage levels.

In a significant development for the sector, the High Court in February 2025 upheld a legal notice from the Private Security Regulatory Authority (PSRA) setting the minimum monthly wage for private guards at KSh 30,000. This ruling, which mandates a basic pay of KSh 18,994 plus allowances, aims to improve the welfare of guards, although debates around its implementation and legal standing continue. For the new recruits in Kisumu, this regulatory environment could promise better compensation than the sector has historically offered.

Increasing Role of Women in Security

The explicit targeting of female candidates by Wells Fargo reflects a broader, positive trend in Kenya's security landscape. The modern security sector is evolving from a field dominated by physical strength to one that values communication, empathy, and conflict resolution skills—qualities where women often excel. According to an article by SGA Security, a diverse and versatile team helps security companies stay competitive and cater to a wider variety of client needs, such as corporate environments that may prefer a different security profile.

The inclusion of women not only promotes gender equity but also strengthens security outcomes. Female officers can be crucial in situations requiring the searching of female staff or patrons, and their communication skills can often de-escalate potentially violent situations more effectively. This recruitment drive by Wells Fargo contributes to this diversification, providing stable employment that empowers women to support their families and participate more fully in the economy.

Recruitment Details

Interested candidates are instructed to present themselves at the Fargo Kisumu location on Saturday, November 22, 2025. While the official announcement did not specify a start time, such recruitment events typically begin early in the morning, around 8:00 AM EAT. Applicants are required to bring their original KCSE certificate, secondary school leaving certificate, and National Identity Card. Wells Fargo has cautioned applicants against any form of bribery to secure positions and reserves the right to reject any application.