The government has adopted new regulations that will see Kenyan private security guards carry firearms and make arrests.
The regulations were gazetted on Friday by Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i, according to The Standard.
Under the new guidelines, security guards have been empowered to take roles previously performed by police officers including quelling riots and providing security during elections.
They will also be allowed to ride in armored and rapid response vehicles as well as blare sirens and flashing warning lights on highways.
The publication said that the private guards will enjoy these privileges under the guidance of the Inspector General of Police (IG).
The new regulations state that all private security companies must be freshly registered with the Private Security Regulatory Authority (PSRA) headed by Fazul Mohamed, within the first six months.
The authority will ensure all security guards comply with the new set of rules.
To be identified easily, private security companies will be required to issue guards with uniforms that bear a clear and bold label “Private Security” and a company patch.
The new regulations allow security guards to make arrests and hand over the suspects to the nearest police station. They must use non-violent means to arrest suspects.
“A private security service provider shall as far as is reasonably possible, use non-violent means in arresting any suspected offender and may only employ force when non-violent measures have failed to prevent escape.”
“The force used shall be proportional to the objective sought to be achieved, the seriousness of the offense and the resistance of the person against whom it is used, ” the regulations read in part.
The government said the move is meant to serve the purpose of maintaining law and order, preventing or mitigating national disasters, incident planning, sharing security information and sharing expertise and training.
Then they must go for police…
Then they must go for police training in Kiganjo. How can you give them that power without any training? I do not know what kind of training private security guards get if any.
1.March for 2hrs with a…
1.March for 2hrs with a rungu for a gun and learn which side to turn when the instructor yells ” Turn left” or “turn right”.
2. Encouraged to use the basic instincts meaning self preservation is key to success. For example when under attack retreat, surrender or flee while blowing a firimbi and live to tell the story of your bravery.
Graduate from training and issued with company uniform, a hat and a brand new firimbi.
I know this because I used too be a watchman. Ama watchman sio private security?
@Airee…hahaha….uuuuuwi…
@Airee…hahaha….uuuuuwi…..you made my day.
A security guard should only…
A security guard should only detain you if he suspects you have committed a crime. Sasa he is arresting me on which authority ?? Does he read me my rights, do I call my lawyer to the security company?carrying guns is ok, police have had a huge monopoly to rent them to criminals
Such rights do not exist in…
Such rights do not exist in Kenya! If you have a cell phone call someone very quickly before they take your phone. They will tell you, ” hapa ni Kenya.” So, just cooperate if you are very unfortunate or humbly try to negotiate with them. Speaking from experience.
Yea, let’s make an impulsive…
Yea, let’s make an impulsive decision regarding one of the most sensitive aspects of a society…. security! What could possibly go wrong with arming untrained, underpaid and possibly unpatriotic bunch? I guess we shall find out won’t we?
The poor down trodden…
The poor down trodden Wanjiku can not afford private security so this initiative is meant to protect the big boys, their families and their earthly goodies from insecurity or organized crime which sometimes is orchestrated by the cops; the people who are supposed to protect the public.
More guns, MORE Homicides,…
More guns, MORE Homicides, MORE Crime, MORE Bloodshed, MORE Deaths. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2014/11/14/more-guns-more-crime-new-research-debunks-a-central-thesis-of-the-gun-rights-movement/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.5b13f9e4e1df
The government has failed to tackle the root cause of rampant crime in the country now looking for a quick fix, very unfortunate!
This is a very dangerous…
This is a very dangerous move. Private security is there only to protect private property. For them to carry guns, they will use the same old reasoning to kill our people; “that they did it in self defense”.
The age of the sword and fire is on its last leg.(Being exposed for what it is and very quickly loosing its value)
Protect private property against human life but you cannot protect the property from the wrath of the most high.
Instead of making policies that will see the welfare of our citizens, we are busy protecting private property and most of it stolen through corruption by a few.
Anything taken by force, must be protected by force and failure to do so reverts that which was stolen to it’s original owner.
Let’s wait and see if this selfish agenda will go anywhere. May it fail just like everything else before it.
May the real God protect our people!!
You mean Mungiki and…
You mean Mungiki and Chinkororo now will be carrying guns and arresting people??
Then we need more militia for our own security.
Please this guys shouldn’t b…
Please this guys shouldn’t b given guns otherwise we will be like corrupt usa with guns where btw 20000-30000 die of gunshots yearly basis according to the reports.Please don’t give them the guns.
I think this is a nice move…
I think this is a nice move as long as care is taken and enough controls instituted to ensure that the same guns that are supposed to protect us are not used against us
everybody needs security …
everybody needs security …let’s private companies own guns coz but safety measures to be taken on how they operate with them …..Kenya is a developed country and this are some of the areas the government should have a look ….you need security yet you don’t want your security guard to be armed ..are you a criminal …coz only criminals are the ones who are bargaining on matters of security.