Interior Cabinet Secretary Professor Kithure Kindiki has reversed a directive issued by the Private Security Regulations Authority (PSRA), effectively reinstating the licenses of nine private security firms. This move comes after the licenses were initially revoked in February through a gazette notice dated February 5th.
In a notice, the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration announced the cancellation of Legal Notice No. PSRA/001/2024, which had led to the revocation of the licenses. The decision to revoke the licenses was based on allegations of various regulatory violations by the private security firms.
This comes after the firms were given a seven-day notice to comply with a directive to increase the salary of security guards to at least KES 30,000. PSRA Director General Mohamed Fazul cited specific sections of the Private Security Regulation Act No. 13 of 2016 as the basis for the cancellation.
These included breaches of the Act’s provisions, violations of registration terms and conditions, and failure to comply with minimum wage regulations.
Furthermore, the firms were accused of employing security officers without proper registration, as required by Section 33 of the Act. According to Fazul, hiring services from unlicensed private security firms is an offense punishable by fines or imprisonment.
In response to the license cancellations, the Protective Security Industry Association (PSIA) has petitioned the National Assembly for the reinstatement of the licenses. PSIA officials, led by Chairman Cosmas Mutava, argued that the cancellations were not conducted in accordance with the proper procedures outlined in the PSRA Act.
This reversal by the Interior Cabinet Secretary marks a significant development in the ongoing debate surrounding private security regulation in the country.
It highlights the complexities involved in balancing regulatory compliance with the interests of both security providers and the public.
