Coast regional commissioner John Elungata has asked private security firms in the region to vet guards before recruitment.
The sentiments come as reports of security guards working with criminals to break into businesses rise.
Elungata said some private security companies suffered credibility issues after their employees were linked to runaway crime.
He said security companies should run criminal background checks before hiring new guards to be certain that both the client and the company are protected by reputable individuals.
“The only way to confront security guards working in cahoots with criminals is to carry out a thorough vetting and background check before employing anyone,” Elungata said.
He cited increased incidents of robbery and burglary in business premises particularly in petrol stations.
“Vetting them later would not serve any purpose,” he said.
Elungata spoke on Tuesday, while meeting with representatives of private security firms under the umbrella, ‘Mombasa Security Forum’ in his boardroom at Uhuru Na Kazi building.
He said broad partnership between the government security agencies and the private security providers was the only way to end rampant insecurity.
Elungata, who also chairs the regional security and intelligence committee, asked them to work closely with the police ahead of the August 9 general election when criminal activities are likely to escalate.
“We are prepared to allow representatives of security firms to be co-opted into our subcounty, county and regional security and intelligence committees,” he said.
Mombasa private security forum chairman Antony Ndegwa said they were prepared to work with the police in addressing security issues.
Ndegwa welcomed the new partnership noting that it will make security work easier.
“We have been working in an uncoordinated manner with the police but now we expect to work closely in a harmonious manner which will make our work much easier,” he said.
(Edited by Tabnacha O)
