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Tag: Fazul Mohammed

  • 48hr ultimatum issued to private security firms to submit guards credentials

    48hr ultimatum issued to private security firms to submit guards credentials

    The Private Security Regulatory Authority (PSRA) Director General Fazul Mohammed has directed all private security companies to submit all credentials belonging to their security guards within 48 hours.

    In a statement, the companies were ordered to hand over national IDs, academic certificates and other personal documents.

    Mohammed faulted the private security firms for illegally withholding the documents which he said further demeans the rights of Private Security Officers.

    He said the Authority is committed to ensuring that the rights of private security officers are upheld and that any form of exploitation is eradicated.

    Mohammed further warned that appropriate legal action will be taken on those companies that will fail to comply with the directive including revocation of their operating licenses.

    Meanwhile, hundreds of security guards from various private security companies turned up for the mass registration exercise on 30th March convened by the PSRA in line with the ongoing mandatory nationwide security vetting, training, and licensing of private security officers.

    Speaking during the ceremony, Mohammed issued an ultimatum for firms to increase the minimum wage for private security officers to Ksh 30,000 per month.

    His sentiments were echoed by United Democratic Party UDA Secretary General Cleophas Malala.

    Nairobi County Governor Johnson Sakaja who was in attendance called on government institutions and unions to come up with a roadmap for the implementation of the minimum wage for private security guards even as G4S Kenya Managing Director Laurence Okelo called for adherence.

    Currently, the minimum wage pay for daytime security guards is Ksh 15,201 while night security officers get a pay of Ksh 16,959.

  • Kenya launches standardized training curriculum for private guards

    Kenya launches standardized training curriculum for private guards

    The government has designed a standardized training programme for private security companies as part of the reform agenda in the industry.

    This marks a crucial step forward in establishing clear industry standards and a recognized code of ethics for guards in an effort to prepare them efficiently navigate the complexities of the evolving security landscape.

    Principal Secretary for Internal Security Dr. Raymond Omollo has described the curriculum as a product of a highly consultative process among key stakeholders, with a focus on elevating the professionalism and competency of private security guards in the country.

    “At the heart of these security reforms is providing them with the right training so that they can detect, deter and effectively respond to the current and emerging security threats appropriately,” he said, adding that the comprehensive training will also foster public trust in the capabilities of the personnel.

    The industry currently employs close to one million people and records an annual revenue of Ksh 100 billion, which Dr. Omollo noted highlights how a critical driver the sector is for the economy in terms of job creation and contribution to Kenya’s GDP growth.

    The PS divulged that the government also intends to equip private security guards with the requisite tools of trade even as they complement the country’s national security agencies.

    Dr. Omollo said, “These guards are part of the first line of emergency response. Their quick action makes a significant difference in the outcome of critical situations…That is why we are very passionate about re-engineering and streamlining the industry’s operations to ensure effective and efficient service delivery.”

    The PS was speaking in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County, during the opening of the first training school for private security guards, where he relayed the government’s commitment to deepening its collaboration with the Private Security Industry in law enforcement and management of crime.

    PS Internal Security Dr. Raymond Omollo awarding a private security guard.
    PS Internal Security Dr. Raymond Omollo awarding a private security guard.

    The programme also prescribes the issuance of security force numbers to the trained officers and the improvement of their welfare, labour rights and remuneration.

    “As a responsible government, we also recognize that private security guards can be cogent partners for maintenance of law and order and even the collection and preservation of evidence from crime scenes,” he said.

    The Director for Private Security Regulatory Authority (PSRA) Fazul Mohammed announced that the government has also organized a three-day training for all the directors of the private security firms in the country in an effort to harmonize and align the operations of the industry with the country’s national security priorities.