Members of the private security sector from Garissa./STEPHEN ASTARIKO 
Northeastern regional commissioner John Otieno speaking at
the meeting./STEPHEN ASTARIKO
The
Private Security Regulatory Authority (PSRA) has said its newly proposed
regulations are designed to enhance professionalism and
streamline operations within Kenya’s private security industry.
PSRA’s
Esther Wanjiku Njogu said
the authority is committed to ensuring the regulatory changes address
long-standing gaps in training, employment standards, and industry
coordination.
She was speaking
during a public participation forum in Garissa that was attended by
stakeholders from across the sector in the area.
Njogu
noted that the new regulations will play a critical role in aligning the sector
with national security needs while safeguarding the welfare of private security
officers.
“The main
objectives of the regulations are to enhance professionalism, to set the
minimum standards on how private security is carried out in our country, and
also to bring cohesion between private security organizations and national
security organizations,” Njogu said.
She also
stated that they will work hand in hand with the labor office, employees’
organisations, and employers’ association to ensure that has been noted down in the
CBA is what will be implemented.
“We will
work hand in hand with the labour office, employees’ organizations, and
employers’ associations to ensure that what has been agreed upon in the
Collective Bargaining Agreement is what will be implemented,” she added.
Northeastern Regional Commissioner John Otieno, on his part emphasized the importance
of stakeholder input, describing it as key to shaping a regulatory framework
that is fair, safe, and responsive to the needs of an industry that plays an
increasingly vital role in the country.
He lauded
the contributions of private security officers, noting that their work
significantly complements that of national security agencies, and called for
better remuneration and recognition of their efforts.
He
highlighted the importance of public participation in promoting accountability
and good governance, according to chapter 6 of the Constitution on leadership
and integrity.
“Public participation is a constitutional requirement, the Kenya constitution 2010 emphasizes public participation in various sections of the constitution, Article 10 of the national values and principles highlights the importance of public participation as a national value and principle of governance,” Otieno said.
The
resolutions from the forum now set the stage for a renewed push to
professionalise the private security sector, with stakeholders urging swift
implementation of the proposed reforms.
The
Private Security Regulatory Authority was established under the Private
Security Regulation Act, No. 13 of 2016.
Its core
mandate includes regulating the private security services industry by providing
a framework for the training, registration, and licensing of private security
officers.
It provides a forum for cooperation between private security companies and state security agencies.
