Nairobi — President William Ruto has directed all government agencies to stop referring to private security personnel as "watchmen" or "guards," saying the titles undermine the dignity and professionalism of the industry.

Speaking while hosting thousands of private security officers at State House, Nairobi, the President said the government would remove the terms from all laws, regulations and official documents.

Ruto said private security officers had raised concerns about the derogatory nature of the titles and called for greater respect and recognition of their profession.

"I am instructing all government agencies to expunge references to private security officers as watchmen or guards," he said.

The President acknowledged that the outdated terminology still exists in government legislation and regulations, adding that the government would move to align official language with the professional status of the sector.